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119-s-2020119th Congress

FAIR Act

Sponsored By: Senator Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

Introduced

Summary

Blocks federal funding for NPR, PBS, and their successors and licensees. This bill would bar any Federal funds, direct or indirect, from being used to support National Public Radio, the Public Broadcasting Service, any successor organization, or any licensee or permittee tied to them.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Ban federal funding for NPR and PBS

If enacted, federal funds could not be used to support National Public Radio (as of enactment), the Public Broadcasting Service (as of enactment), their successors, or any licensee or permittee. The ban would cover direct and indirect support, including dues payments and programming purchases made with federal money. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting would be required to cancel or decline funding where allowed and to change television and radio community grant rules to avoid indirect payments. Heads of each federal agency would have to identify and, to the maximum extent allowed by law, terminate any direct or indirect funding and review remaining grants and contracts for compliance.

Agencies and OMB keep authority

If enacted, the bill would say nothing in it is to be read as limiting the legal authority of executive departments, agency heads, or the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Agencies would keep their existing budgetary, administrative, and legislative proposal functions while the Act is implemented.

No private right to sue

If enacted, the bill would say the Act does not create any private right or benefit to sue the United States, its agencies, officers, employees, or agents under this law. In practice, private parties would be barred from bringing enforcement suits under the Act against federal entities.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

TN • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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