GOP declares NPR "emergency"

Yesterday, MoveOn members joined with CREDO, Free Press, and members of the cast of "Sesame Street" to deliver 1 million petition signatures supporting NPR and PBS. But today, Republicans are pushing an "emergency" bill to defund NPR. Can you call Rep. McCarthy right now and tell her to support NPR and PBS? Representative Carolyn McCarthy Phone: 202-225-5516 Report your call

Dear MoveOn member,

House Republicans have declared an "emergency" today. Is it about unemployment? The situation in Libya? The disaster in Japan? Nope, it's about defunding NPR.

They're taking up an emergency bill that would ban any federal money from going to NPR or its affiliates.

A right-wing blogger's hidden-camera video has NPR on the defensive, even though it was so misleadingly doctored that even Glenn Beck's website questioned its credibility.¹ But Republicans want to use this moment to take away NPR's funding for good.

We can't let that happen. Can you call your representative, Carolyn McCarthy, and tell her and her fellow Democrats that we're counting on them to stand strong against this unprecedented attack on NPR?

Here's where to call:

Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Phone: 202-225-5516

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FHNY_04&cp_id=1540&id=26525-10220574-bTDyNcx&t=3

When you call, you can also let Rep. McCarthy know that NPR has huge support. Just yesterday MoveOn members, along with friends from Free Press, CREDO, and the cast of "Sesame Street," delivered more than 1 million petitions—in tote bags of course—calling on Congress to support full and permanent funding for NPR and PBS.

But we have to stop the Republican attacks, and the only way is to remind our leaders in Washington that public broadcasting enjoys massive public support and that we'll hold them accountable if they cut its funding. Even among Republican voters, a clear majority support public funding for PBS and NPR.²

But with the emergency bill being considered today, we have to speak out immediately, before it's too late. Can you call Rep. McCarthy right now to tell her to oppose efforts to cut NPR's funding?

Here is the number to call:

Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Phone: 202-225-5516

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FHNY_04&cp_id=1540&id=26525-10220574-bTDyNcx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Robin, Milan, Carrie, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Glenn Beck blasts anti-NPR Video," The Hill, March 16, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206977&id=26525-10220574-bTDyNcx&t=5

2."National Survey Finds 69 Percent of Voters Oppose Congressional Elimination of Government Funding for Public Broadcasting," PBS, March 1, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206978&id=26525-10220574-bTDyNcx&t=6

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