House Spending Bill Targets NPR For Defunding

Targeted Again

NPR is among the targets for cuts in the House Appropriations Committee's draft fiscal year 2012 Labor, Health and Human Services funding bill, released THURSDAY (9/29).  The $153.4 billion bill, introduced by Rep. DENNY REHBURG (R-MT), would block CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING funds from being given to NPR and asks for a report from CPB on getting NPR to be independent from federal funding by 2014.

Overall, the bill proposes $4 billion less in discretionary funding (a 2.5% reduction) than 2011's figures and $27.5 billion (15.2%) less than the President's budget request.  Among other points in the plan, which faces stiff opposition from the OBAMA administration and the Democrat-controlled Senate, are cuts in funding for PLANNED PARENTHOOD (unless it stops providing abortions), elimination of 31 education programs, tightened eligibility for PELL Grants, and cuts in budgets for other agencies and programs.

"Many of the programs and services funded in this bill protect the health and safety of the American people and provide assistance to the most vulnerable among us. However, excessive and wasteful spending over the years has put many of the programs and agencies funded in this bill on an irresponsible and unsustainable fiscal path. To protect critical programs and services that many Americans rely on -- especially in this time of fiscal crisis -- the bill takes decisive action to cut duplicative, inefficient and wasteful spending to help get these agency budgets onto sustainable financial footing," said committee Chairman HAL ROGERS (R-KY).  "In addition, the bill makes great strides to rein in bureaucratic red tape and eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens on businesses and industries that are the backbone of our economy. These actions will help increase stability in our marketplace, and give employers greater confidence to invest in American businesses and create new jobs."

REHBURG added, "This common-sense plan is built on the simple idea that the economy isn't just a bunch of numbers. This bill is about investing in people and creating the jobs they need by funding things like education to empower innovation and restore American ingenuity, and freeing employers from stifling government regulatory burdens that replace productivity with paperwork. By spending tax dollars strategically, we can balance critical funding for programs that actually help people and families with the real need to rein in government over-spending."

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