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Hickenlooper Votes Against Republicans' Bill to Rescind Billions in Bipartisan Government Funding, Silence Rural Radio Stations

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Sen. John Hickenlooper released a statement after voting against the Republicans' package to rescind bipartisan government funding for local radio stations and foreign assistance that helps millions each year. Hickenlooper criticized the move, stating it was "throwing away America's future piece by piece." He introduced and joined four amendments to the package, including measures to save public TV and radio, protect economic stability in the Western Hemisphere, safeguard clean energy investments, and preserve U.S. leadership abroad. Hickenlooper argued that the rescission package would have a devastating impact on rural communities, silence rural radio stations, and undermine public broadcasting.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hickenlooper voted against the Republicans' $9 billion rescission package, which aimed to cut funding for local radio and TV stations, public broadcasting, and foreign assistance programs.
  • The senator introduced and co-sponsored four amendments to the package, including a measure to save $1.1 billion in funding cuts for local radio and TV stations.
  • Hickenlooper argued that the cuts would silence rural radio stations and undermine public broadcasting, which provides essential services to millions of Americans, especially those in rural areas.
  • The amendments also aimed to protect efforts to boost economic stability in the Western Hemisphere, safeguard clean energy investments, and preserve U.S. leadership abroad.
  • Hickenlooper's amendment to strike cuts to the Inter-American Foundation (IAF) aimed to boost economic development across Latin America and the Caribbean to help reduce push factors for migration.
  • The senator's amendment to preserve U.S. investments in clean energy projects in developing countries through the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) aimed to promote sustainable development and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Hickenlooper's amendment to strike cuts to the Economic Support Fund (ESF) would have preserved development and economic assistance to countries of strategic importance, helping counter Chinese influence around the world.
  • The senator raised the alarm about the impact of the rescission package on rural communities, highlighting the importance of public broadcasting for emergency alerts, transportation accidents, national security threats, and public safety matters.

Statistics:

  • $9 billion: The amount of funding cut by the Republicans' rescission package, which Hickenlooper voted against.
  • $1.1 billion: The amount of funding cuts aimed at local radio and TV stations, proposed for removal by Hickenlooper's amendment.
  • 17 million: The number of Americans who lost health care coverage earlier this month, according to Hickenlooper.
  • Millions: The number of Americans who rely on public broadcasting for emergency alerts, transportation accidents, national security threats, or public safety matters.
  • Hundreds of thousands: The number of Coloradans living in rural areas who rely on public broadcasting.

Sources:

  • Hickenlooper, J. (2023). Hickenlooper Votes Against Republicans' Bill to Claw Back Billions in Bipartisan Government Funding, Silence Rural Radio Stations. [Press Release]. Retrieved from

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