Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011

Floor Speech

SPEECH OF
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
OF MINNESOTA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2011

The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1) making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes:

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, Congressional Republicans often assert that their aggressive budget cutting is in line with the desires of the American people. The cuts Republicans propose for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011 include eliminating support for homeless veterans, cutting nearly a billion dollars from programs for law enforcement and first responders, and gutting environmental protections that keep our air, water and food safe. As House Republicans continue their march to weaken our communities, kill jobs, and make our most vulnerable citizens bear the burden for tax cuts for the wealthiest citizens, there is another target for cutting--the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, CPB.

In this bill, House Appropriations Chairman Harold Rogers (R-KY) is working to eradicate all funding for CPB and eliminate federal support for public media. This attack on unbiased reporting, cultural programming, and educational television and radio would have dire consequences in my home State for Minnesota Public Radio and Twin Cities Public Television, not to mention the Minnesota taxpayers who rely on public broadcasting every day.

CPB's funding is directed to local public broadcasting stations, which provide commercial-free, high-quality programming to millions of Americans every day. Public broadcasting outlets target underserved audiences, children, minorities, and low-income Americans with non-biased news and cultural programming.

Public broadcasting is one of the most valuable community assets, and it is a prime example of the numerous benefits that come from investment from the federal government. Every month, over half of all Americans utilize public broadcasting--170 million people--through 368 public television stations, 943 radio stations, and hundreds of online services. Federal funding for CPB costs $1.35 per American ever year, while the rest of the funding comes from private donations. Public broadcasting is a vital educational resource for teachers, parents, and children.

In addition to providing a valuable community good, a majority of Americans value public media and advocate that the federal government continue its support. Last year, Americans rated public broadcasting as an "excellent" use of taxpayer dollars, coming in second to defense spending. Eighty percent of those who were surveyed believe that funding for public broadcasting is money "well spent."

A vote in support of CPB funding is a vote for the American people. Public broadcasting is what our citizens want, and Chairman Rogers and the rest of the Republicans should listen.

Members from the Fourth District have contacted me to speak out in support of public broadcasting and against this egregious attack.

A St. Paul student, age 14, just called me today to tell me that she is the voice of the future and very supportive of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

A resident from St. Paul told me, "Thank you for standing up for public broadcasting. You are right when you say the Tea Party would like nothing better than to eliminate the one place where we go to find balanced reporting. I am a sustaining member of both public television and radio and find it to be a source of hope in this media-fallow country."

A college student in St. Paul wrote me to say, " am deeply concerned about proposed legislation in the House that would eliminate federal funding for PBS and NPR. It is vital to our country and our public discourse that we have some forms of independent journalism that are unbiased and free from corporate interests. Not only does public media provide a trusted news and entertainment source for adults around the Nation, but the educational children's programming helps get youngsters from all backgrounds off to a good start. I grew up watching Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, and Nova on what was then Channel 2 (now TPT). Now, as a college student at the University of Minnesota-Morris, I still depend on PBS and NPR every day. I fear that cuts to federal funding for public media will have an especially adverse effect on smaller and rural stations, like Pioneer Public TV, which are more dependent on federal money. It pains me to imagine a time when public media isn't available to future generations of Americans as a source of nonpartisan information available to all."

Another St. Paul resident said, "I am a current supporter of the MN TPT, and would hate to see this wonderful service eliminated because someone in Congress thinks it is unnecessary. Many people can't afford cable or satellite television--I can only afford the lowest basic service--and the programming on TPT is educational, entertaining and innovative. Please fight to keep the funding! Thank you!"

As you can see, residents of the 4th District of Minnesota are strong supporters of this essential service. Federal support for CPB keeps our citizens informed, educates our children, and makes our communities stronger. I will fight against these ``dumb-cuts'' because Minnesota Public Radio and Twin Cities Public Television are critical community assets that deserve federal support.

Given Republicans' frantic attempts to slash federal spending in even the most detrimental ways, eliminating CPB is a very real possibility. In my position on the House Appropriations Committee, I will do everything in my power to prevent public broadcasting stations nationwide from being forced to shut their doors, but I cannot do it alone. I urge my colleagues to protect this valuable public good and vote against H.R. 1.

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