Congressional Republicans are putting pressure on both National Public Radio (NPR) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in the wake of NPR’s bias scandal.
House and Senate Republicans sent a series of letters to both organizations requesting steps to ensure NPR’s integrity and address allegations of ideological bias by senior editor Uli Berliner, who has since left NPR.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday asked NPR CEO Katherine Maher to appear at a hearing before the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee regarding the allegations.
Committee Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) wrote, “The committee is concerned about the direction NPR may be headed under past and current leadership.” .
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A group of Republican senators sent a letter to Katherine Maher asking her to correct NPR’s ideological approach. (Getty Images)
However, an NPR spokesperson issued a statement to Fox News Digital saying Maher will not appear before the subcommittee to testify. The spokesperson added that she was prepared to testify on another day.
“NPR respects the committee and its request and has offered to testify at a date in the near future that is convenient for the committee and Maher,” a spokesperson said. “NPR has an all-day board meeting scheduled for that day, open to the public, and this will be Mr. Maher’s first such meeting since joining NPR just six weeks ago. These meetings are scheduled over a year in advance.
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The House Energy and Commerce Committee, led by Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (left), is investigating NPR and its CEO Katherine Maher (right). (Getty Images)
“Accordingly, Mr. Maher will be unable to attend this week’s hearing and has informed the committee of this and proposed an alternative date. Mr. Maher will testify in writing in his absence,” the spokesperson continued.
A spokesperson for the House Energy and Commerce Committee told FOX News Digital that Marr’s choice not to testify Wednesday “speaks volumes.”
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Mr. Cruz, ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, sent a letter to the CPB demanding answers. (Getty Images)
“The Chair looks forward to considering a thorough and transparent response to the Commission’s letter,” the spokesperson said.
A spokeswoman for Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) would not say whether she was concerned about the allegations against NPR or whether she intended to invite Maher to testify before the Senate. I didn’t.
“The Chairman’s focus is on passing a five-year reauthorization,” the spokesperson said, referring to the FAA reauthorization bill, which has a May 10 deadline.
CPB has also received letters scrutinizing grant funding to NPR amid the scandal. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rick Scott (R-Florida) have sent similar letters.
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Congressman Bob Good has introduced a bill to defund NPR. (Getty Images and FOX News Digital)
Fox News Digital asked for comment on the company’s concerns about the letter and NPR’s revelations, but CPB said Tuesday only that it “acknowledges receipt of Sen. Cruz’s letter and will respond in a timely manner.” .
Allegations of ideological bias in NPR’s newsroom also led to bills being debated in both chambers and introduced in the House to reduce the organization’s funding.
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One such effort, by House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-Va.), would block NPR from receiving federal funds while also allowing public radio stations that receive federal funding to take content from NPR. It would also prevent them from using the funds to make purchases or pay dues to NPR.
Berliner’s scathing essay expressing his concerns about his employer was published about a month ago, on April 9th. Among other revelations, Berliner found that NPR’s Washington, D.C., newsroom has 87 Democrats compared to zero Republicans.
