Accusing House Republicans of "a political stunt," Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler voted against a bill that would strip National Public Radio of all federal funding. The measure passed the House of Representatives 228-192.
“This senseless bill would have a devastating impact on Western North Carolina and other rural areas, where funding for public radio is already scarce and stations depend on federal funding to stay on air,” Shuler said, in an announcement from his office. The statement adds that the proposed legislation would harm local stations such as WCQS and WNCW that receive such funding.
“I am disappointed that House Republicans chose focus their efforts in Washington this week on a political stunt rather than creating jobs or reducing the deficit,” Shuler's statement reads. “Public radio has long provided our communities with high-quality programming and information, and I continue to support federal funding for NPR and its local affiliate stations.”
The legislation stripping NPR of federal funding would still have to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate and overcome a likely Presidential veto.
— David Forbes, senior news reporter
“This senseless bill would have a devastating impact on Western North Carolina and other rural areas, where funding for public radio is already scarce and stations depend on federal funding to stay on air,” Shuler said, in an announcement from his office. The statement adds that the proposed legislation would harm local stations such as WCQS and WNCW that receive such funding.
“I am disappointed that House Republicans chose focus their efforts in Washington this week on a political stunt rather than creating jobs or reducing the deficit,” Shuler's statement reads. “Public radio has long provided our communities with high-quality programming and information, and I continue to support federal funding for NPR and its local affiliate stations.”
The legislation stripping NPR of federal funding would still have to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate and overcome a likely Presidential veto.
— David Forbes, senior news reporter
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Mr. Shuler, please tell me where all this money is coming from to fund all these socialist propaganda organizations. Grow up! We have trillions in debt and Shuler is worried about Big Bird! We need to cut trillions and so I would ask Shuler to list all the cuts that he would support. I expect just more political rhetoric from his mouth!
By Richard J. Matthews
03/17/2011
Think what you will about whether NPR deserves funding or not, but there is an inherent flaw in Shuler's logic.
By cutting NPR funding, republicans weren't focusing on reducing the deficit? Isn't spending less one of the prime ideas behind reducing the deficit? I guess Heath just didn't think that one through
This makes about just as much sense as City Council helping the short-changed HTF by handing out tax breaks to for profit corporations.
By J
03/17/2011
There’s a series of four votes involved. Shuler voted for the first two bills which lead to the defunding bill:
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/index.asp
H RES 174 (1. On Ordering the Previous Question & 2. On Agreeing to the Resolution, Passed) Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1076) to prohibit Federal funding of National Public Radio and the use of Federal funds to acquire radio content
So he voted for defunding NPR… then against it. Sounds like interesting follow up ink is needed.
He also voted for H CON RES 28, directing President Obama to pull out of Afghanistan.
By Grant Millin
03/17/2011
Shuler is just throwing us liberals a bone here to try to cover over his voting against Obamacare. just sayin. Don't be sucked in. I'd say a vote for his opponent next election is in order.
By Stan Brocklin
03/17/2011
"Us liberals", Stan? That doesn't jive so well with some of your other comments today. But who would you suggest? Maybe Dr. Dan?
By bill smith
03/17/2011
great! now if only we could've stopped him from voting against taking money away from planned parenthood (an IMPORTANT organization that helps out so many people) then we'd be on board!
By Laura
03/17/2011
By cutting NPR funding, republicans weren’t focusing on reducing the deficit?
Of course they were.
By cutting federal funding to NPR, they are freeing up almost a day's worth of operating costs for our military overseas. Well, probably not a WHOLE day, but at least the first few hours.
Priorities.
By bill smith
03/17/2011
Also, Grant, H. Con. Res. 28, which you linked to is entitled: "Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding sexual assaults and rape in the military" and appears to say nothing about leaving Afghanistan.
By bill smith
03/17/2011
Thank you, representative Shuler for your vote and for calling the Republicans out for playing political games instead of working for their public. Defunding NPR is not going to lower the deficit in any significant way. We need financial strategies that benefit the people of America, not special interests.
By Joy Sudderth
03/18/2011
H.CON.RES.28
Latest Title: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan.
By Grant Millin
03/18/2011
I read the comments that Shuler is trying to help public radio... Thank God someone cares about North Carolina. I agree we are in debt so we are
gasping at anytime that might save money.
Still aggravated about Westgate recycle center.The one on Merrimon doesn't mark any of its containers.
By M Rebholz
03/18/2011
If the Republicans were serious about reducing the deficit they would allow the Bush Jr. era tax cuts expire. Instead they are focusing on eliminating public radio and slashing teacher's salaries with their "outrageous" benefits. Shuler is a Democrat, and it is just fine that he acts and votes like one. Don't like it? Vote Republican.
By Mister Blister
03/19/2011
I agree that if an elected official's priority is to reduce the deficit the best solution would have been to allow the Bush era tax cuts to expire.
The rest is crap.
I'm glad Shuler voted against defunding public radio. BUT I don't think it cost him anything politically and I wish he WOULD act and vote more like a Democrat in areas where his vote would make a difference (since the public radio defunding most likely won't pass the Senate).
By JamieA
03/20/2011
@Bill Smith - Your sarcasm said it best! Until we look at defense and entitlement spending, we may as well not be doing anything to address the deficit.
By Forrest Samuels
03/23/2011