Georgia Republican U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss is breaking ranks to oppose efforts to restrict federal funding for National Public Radio.
The Georgia Republican defended the news organization over the weekend, saying restricting federal funding may not be the “wisest thing.”
”If you look at NPR versus particularly the overall public broadcasting issue, NPR doesn’t generate income like the public broadcasting side does,” Mr. Chambliss said.
“You know, an awful lot of conservatives listen to NPR. It provides a very valuable service. Should we maybe think about a reduction in that?”
House Republicans are pushing for cutting NPR funding following the release of video from conservative journalist James O’Keefe. The video showed an NPR fundraiser referring to the Tea Party as “racist” and saying NPR does not need federal funding.
