Prohibiting Funding of National Public Radio

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. MARKEY. I thank the gentlelady.

Mr. Speaker, in an era when Edwardian drama is the only way to characterize the way in which cable news deals with the public affairs of our country, there is an oasis of real news that begins with Morning Edition, goes right through the day to All Things Considered, which focuses on that most unusual of all subjects, hard news, that the American people can use to make judgments about the affairs of our country and the affairs of the world. It is an oasis of information that is supplemented, yes, by Lake Woe Begone, On Point, other programs that raise the cultural level but serve as a place where people, 170 million Americans, can go to get real information.

Now what is this debate all about? Well, it's really about an ancient animosity which the Republican Party has had to the very creation of NPR, through Newt Gingrich, through the early years of the 21st century, right up to today where it's on a list of grievances which they have about this ability of NPR to provide this news and information. That's what the debate's about. You don't have to be Dick Tracy to figure out what this debate is all about. They have right from the very beginning of the creation of this network wanted to destroy it.

I think that they are going to run into a razor blade sharp edge reaction from the American public as they find that, in place of Morning Edition and Car Talk and All Things Considered, they want to move to radio silence, and when the American people find out about that, they are going to be outraged.

I would vote ``no'' and urge strongly a ``no'' vote for all Members of this body.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source