Lamborn Introduces Bills to Defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

House.Gov ^ | Jan 31 2017

[Drango]

Congressman Lamborn released the following statement following his introduction of two bills, H.R. 726 and H.R. 727, to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and National Public Radio (NPR):

“Republicans and the new Administration need to demonstrate that we take our fiscal responsibility seriously. American taxpayers do not want their hard-earned dollars funding superfluous government programs just because that is the way things have always been done.

That’s why I have reintroduced two pieces of legislation to permanently defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and National Public Radio. CPB received $445 million during Fiscal Year 2016, and this money could be put to better use rebuilding our military and enhancing our national security.”

- Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

General Points

With the national debt nearing a staggering $20 trillion, the government cannot continue to subsidize a private organizations that are more than capable of being fully privately-funded.

This is not about content, as CBP certainly airs some quality programs; the point is that it is perfectly capable of standing on its own two feet and not on the financial shoulders of the American taxpayers.

I have led similar efforts in past Congresses. During the 112th H.R. my bill H.R. 1076 defunding NPR was passed by the House.

H.R. 726

1. Prohibits public radio stations from using federal funds to purchase programming from and/or pay dues to NPR

Current federal law requires that approximately 26% of federal grants to public radio stations be used for the production or acquisition of programming, including programming for national distribution.

Many stations use these “restricted” grants to purchase programming from NPR.

Current Corporation for Public Broadcasting Guidelines also allow public radio stations to use their federal grant funding for the payment of dues to NPR.

Programming fees and dues are the largest single source of NPR revenue, at $81 million in FY2015.

2. Prohibits direct federal funding of National Public Radio

NPR received approximately $5 million in direct funding in FY16 from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Department of Education, Department of Commerce, and the National Endowment for the arts.

H..R 727

1. Defunds CPB

American taxpayers subsidized the CPB, the parent organization to NPR, to the tune of $445 million in FY2016 alone.

This is the same amount CPB has received for the past two fiscal years, and the amount they are scheduled to receive during the next two fiscal years.

[VRW Conspirator]

Defund the left!

Cannot repeat it enough! Lefties have proven to be good at two things. Funding their efforts with government (our) money and taking a small minority viewpoint and making that view sound like a growing consensus.

[JimRed]

They’re always asking for money anyhow; let those who love ‘em support ‘em.

[JimRed]

Now can we defund the “art?”

First we have to define ART. My definition of art is stuff nobody wants to buy for themselves and would not miss having, but will take if someone else is paying.

[Fungi]

YES! YES! YES! .....and YES!!!!

[Wneighbor]

IMO, that “artist” should have been arrested for indecency.

There is art. There is art that I don’t like. But that was scum. (or worse)

[submarinerswife]

I remember the last time we tried that and defunding the National Endowment for the Arts.. It was a huge failure.

[minnesota_bound]

Insiders make millions with their programs that air like Bill Moyer. Taxpayers pay for everything while Bill preaches about evil capitalism.

PBS does have interesting shows like the one about batteries I saw the other week BUT they toss in global warming/climate change while talking about batteries. I watch NOVA, same thing in their shows. If their programs are any good they are several tv channels that would buy them just like it happens in hollywood.

[left that other site]

I saw the NOVA show about building a better battery. The “Global Warming: talk made me so angry I ended up turning the channel! Which is sad, because NOVA used to be a good, reliable program.