Judd Gregg: “I am intrigued by the amendment of the Senator from West Virginia. I do not believe taxpayers should be funding…”

“I am intrigued by the amendment of the Senator from West Virginia. I do not believe taxpayers should be funding propaganda. I think it is totally inappropriate, other than in an attempt to promote American policy overseas, for example, where we should be funding communication with other people around the Earth, as we do through Radio Free America, Radio Liberty, and other radio stations that have been developed over the years for the purposes of presenting the American position in regions of the world where our access is limited. But here in the United States, clearly, if the Government wishes to make a point, that should be disclosed. If taxpayers' dollars are being used to make a point, that should be disclosed. I agree with the basic concept of the theme of the Senator's amendment. So I expect that this amendment must apply to National Public Radio. National Public Radio, of course, receives a large amount of tax subsidy. It presents views which one could argue are propaganda, in many instances. If I read this amendment correctly, I believe, and I would hope the record would reflect, this amendment will apply to National Public Radio so that when they put out a newscast it will have to be announced that this newscast is put out at the expense of the American taxpayer and that the American taxpayer has paid for this report. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri.”