Congressman Wants Documents From NPR About Hiring Of Lobbyist

Lamborn

Rep. DOUG LAMBORN (R-CO) has asked NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO for internal documents relating to its hiring of an outside lobbyist, reports the DAILY CALLER.

NPR hired NAVIGATORS GLOBAL earlier this year to lobby for it on Capitol Hill (NET NEWS 7/23), saying that no taxpayer funds are being used for the effort but that the lobbying would represent the interests of the network and member stations while some in Congress push for defunding of public broadcasting.  LAMBORN, in a letter to NPR CEO GARY KNELL, recognized the right of the network to hire a lobbyist, but added, "in light of your continued reliance upon federal funds, I believe taxpayers deserve documentation proving your organization's assertion that no federal funds are being used to pay for the lobbying firm." 

LAMBORN added that he is a private supporter of the network and has participated in an ad for a local station in COLORADO, but "as a fiscal conservative, I believe taxpayers should not be on the hook for something that is widely available in the private market. In the future, I hope to see your organization standing on its own two feet and not on the financial shoulders of the American taxpayers."

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