Pelosi: ‘Public Broadcasting Enriches American Lives’

Pelosi: ‘Public Broadcasting Enriches American Lives’

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Contact: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. â€" House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi issued a statement today in support of full funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Republicans cut all advance funding for CPB for fiscal year 2008 and rescinded $100 million for fiscal year 2006. Congressman David Obey (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee, added the funds back for fiscal year 2008, and Democrats continue to fight for additional funding for fiscal year 2006.

â€Å"The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has enriched American lives for nearly 40 years. CPB supports educational, cultural, and informative programming, often for underserved audiences including minorities and children. Public radio and television are available to everyone, regardless of age, family income, or geography.

â€Å"As part of our New Partnership for America’s Future, Democrats reaffirmed our dedication to six core American values for a strong middle class: national security, prosperity, opportunity, fairness, community, and accountability.

â€Å"Public broadcasting increases opportunity for creative producers, promotes fairness in news coverage, and strengthens our communities by supporting local programming.

â€Å"Americans trust their public broadcasting more than any other institution in country, and for good reason. CPB has a reputation for excellent educational programming that teaches our children and prepares them for the classroom, teaching them to love learning and to respect themselves and others.

â€Å"CPB uses federal support to leverage state, local, university, and viewer support. This public-private partnership benefits the widest array of Americans. This investment reaps enormous benefits for us all.

â€Å"Advance funding for CPB reduces the possibility of political influence on programming. In today's climate of ever-increasing media consolidation, we need public broadcasting's local, independent voice.

â€Å"Unfortunately, the President's budget for next year eliminated CBP's advance funding for 2008. I commend Congressman Obey for his successful efforts to add back the advance funding, but the bill coming to the floor this week remains $100 million short for next year. That is unacceptable.”