House DOGE Subcommittee Sets NPR-PBS Hearing; Lawmakers Relaunch Broadcasters Caucus
The House Oversight Delivering on Government Efficiency Subcommittee said Wednesday it plans a March 26 hearing to examine conservatives' claims that public broadcasters’ content has a pro-Democratic bias, as expected (see 2502270071). PBS CEO Paula Kerger and NPR CEO Katherine Maher will testify starting at 10 a.m. in HVC-210. Republican lawmakers have filed several measures this year to end funding for NPR, PBS and CPB and claw back advance appropriations to the broadcasting entities (see 2502110072 and 2502120044), in part for alleged bias. PBS and other U.S. broadcasters are also facing scrutiny from the FCC via investigations that Chairman Brendan Carr has launched since taking over Jan. 20 (see 2502130060).
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“I want to hear why NPR and PBS think they should ever again receive a single cent from the American taxpayer,” said DOGE Subcommittee Chair Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. “These partisan, so-called ‘media’ stations dropped the ball on Hunter Biden’s laptop, down-played COVID-19 origins, and failed to properly report the Russian collusion hoax. Now, it is time for their CEOs to publicly explain this biased coverage. Federal taxpayers should not be forced to pay for one-sided reporting, which attacks over half the country to protect and promote its own political interests. I look forward to working with the Trump Administration to stop allowing the blatant misuse of taxpayer funds for partisan ends.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., and three other lawmakers said Thursday that they relaunched the Broadcasters Caucus “to educate Members of Congress about the challenges broadcasters face and to highlight the importance of local radio and television stations.” The broadcasting industry’s legislative priorities for this Congress include passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (HR-979/S-315), which would require the Department of Transportation to mandate AM radio's inclusion in future automobiles, mostly affecting electric vehicles. The Senate Commerce Committee advanced S-315 in February (see 2502100072).
“The significance of local radio and television stations cannot be overstated -- they help connect communities to the news that shapes our way of life,” Flood said. “As someone who grew up in the broadcasting world before coming to Congress, I know firsthand how critical this kind of advocacy is for broadcasters.” Reps. Mark Alford, R-Mo., Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., and Darren Soto, D-Fla., will co-lead the Broadcasters Caucus, whose relaunch was hailed by NAB.