Rep. Shuler votes against defunding NPR

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

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

14 thoughts on “Rep. Shuler votes against defunding NPR

  1. Richard J. Matthews

    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!

  2. J

    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.

  3. Grant Millin

    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.

  4. Stan Brocklin

    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.

  5. bill smith

    “Us liberals”, Stan? That doesn’t jive so well with some of your other comments today. But who would you suggest? Maybe Dr. Dan?

  6. Laura

    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!

  7. bill smith

    [i]By cutting NPR funding, republicans weren’t focusing on reducing the deficit?[/i]

    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.

  8. bill smith

    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.

  9. Joy Sudderth

    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.

  10. Grant Millin

    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.

  11. M Rebholz

    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.

  12. Mister Blister

    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.

  13. JamieA

    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).

  14. Forrest Samuels

    @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.

Leave a Reply to Grant Millin ×

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.