Emanuel Cleaver: “for years, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has provided countless Americans of all ages with high- quality…”

“for years, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has provided countless Americans of all ages with high- quality, innovative programming. But today, House Republicans have renewed their efforts against public broadcasting by reducing funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting by $100 million. That is a 25 percent reduction in funding and would have a devastating effect on public television and public radio. If enacted, public broadcasting stations in Kansas City, Missouri serving my Congressional District would stand to lose over half a million dollars. As a former radio talk show host on KCUR, the Kansas City affiliate of National Public Radio, I understand the importance of public broadcasting. These days, commercial television and radio provides us with more information about the runaway bride than the runaway budget, and more about the Desperate Housewives than the desperate lives of those whose Medicaid has been cut. Public broadcasting has, for over 40 years, provided the American people with the type of excellent educational, cultural and news programming that is rarely found on television. Whose children didn't grow up watching Big Bird, Arthur, or Clifford? We cannot afford to lose this important national resource. So today, I will vote in favor of the Obey-Lowey-Leach amendment to restore the $100 million that was cut from public broadcasting. I urge my colleagues to do the same.”