House votes to cut off NPR's federal money

WASHINGTON -- With wounds still fresh from a hidden video scandal, NPR was dealt another blow yesterday when the House approved a bill that would block the flow of taxpayer dollars to the media organization.

The legislation, approved along party lines, was rushed to the floor by Republican leaders a week after an NPR executive was caught on tape appearing to make disparaging remarks about conservatives and the tea party movement.

That executive and NPR chief executive Vivian Schiller resigned over the issue, even as questions linger over whether the comments were fairly represented by the conservative activist who edited the video.

The Republican-led House pounced on the frequent target for many on the right, who accuse NPR of bias and contend that the organization no longer needs public support.

The bill approved yesterday isn't likely to pass the Senate. It would cut off the thin stream of direct federal money to NPR and would prohibit its local affiliates from using federal dollars to purchase programming from NPR or any other source.

Such restrictions could pressure local stations to find new revenue sources or cut expenses, although to what degree would vary. The affiliates received just 6 percent of their revenue from government sources, according to a 2008 report. NPR took in $56 million in programming fees last year, accounting for more than one-third of its revenue.-- Chicago Tribune