Group Urges Defunding Of NPR

FAIRFAX, VA  — Americans for Limited Government (ALG) President Bill Wilson is urging members of the House to vote in favor of a Republican motion to recommit on HR 1722, a motion which would eliminate federal funding for National Public Radio.

"National Public Radio is the first to claim that it receives less than 2 percent of its money from the federal government.  So, by its own admission, NPR doesn't need the money, so let's cut it.  The government has a $1.3 trillion budget deficit, and members of Congress have to find every bit of funding that can be cut," Wilson said.

NPR has requested $136 million for FY 2013.

In an exclusive interview with Americans for Limited Government, Representative Doug Lamborn, who authored the bill to defund NPR, blasted it over the firing of Juan Williams: "We see now with the Juan Williams fiasco that they're not a neutral news organization.  They have a left-leaning bias."

Lamborn continued, "It could be out there in the private marketplace, and compete along with everyone else.  Why should government be in the broadcasting business at all?"

Wilson agreed, saying, "NPR can finance itself via donations, or move toward a profit model if they choose, but taxpayers should not be obligated to pay for programming which does not treat all sides fairly."

ALG launched a national petition drive recently to defund public broadcasting in the wake of National Public Radio's firing of Juan Williams.