There will be no surprise later today when House Republicans get their way on a resolution to defund National Public Radio. But that doesn’t mean that members on both sides of the aisle in the House couldn’t have a little fun, and get a little heated, during the pre-vote debate.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., made it to the House floor in record time via an emergency vote in the Rules Committee on Wednesday.
Lamborn said Thursday that the bill wouldn't kill NPR: "They can do it without federal dollars by embracing the private sector. I want NPR to grow on its own. I'd like it to thrive. Just remove taxpayers from the equation."
In a colorful debate this morning, Democrats took aim at the procedure Republicans used to rush the bill to the floor.
"This is what Republicans think is an emergency—not jobs, not healthcare, but defunding NPR," said Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass.
Democrats also accused Republicans of opposing funding for NPR for ideological reasons.
"You [Republicans] can't stand balanced, objective news, so let's defund it," said Gerald Connolly, D-Va.
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