Rep Amash cites unconstitutionality as reason for 'present' vote on NPR bill

Freshman Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) said he believes a bill aimed at blocking federal funds to National Public Radio is unconstitutional, which is why he voted "present."

"The bill's treatment of NPR is arguably unconstitutional and definitely violates the rule of law," he said. "The bill is arguably unconstitutional because it likely is a bill of attainder. Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution prohibits Congress from passing bills of attainder. The idea behind the bill of attainder ban is that Congress shouldn't enact laws meant to punish particular persons or entities, because the proper way to punish a wrongdoer is after the accused has been given a chance to defend himself at trial in a court." Rep Amash has said he would vote "present" whenever he sees the legislation as unconstitutional, when not enough time has been allowed to consider a bill or when he has a personal conflict of interest related to a bill.

Rep Amash opposes taxpayer funding for NPR, but explained his opposition in a statement to Fox News by noting that the bill voted on would not save a dime of taxpayer money:

"The federal government does not subsidize NPR directly. Instead, the government funds the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a government entity, which has discretion to provide funding to whichever private radio producers it chooses. H R 1076 does not actually save taxpayer dollars; it merely blocks CPB from exercising its discretion to send funding to NPR. The funds CPB does not send to NPR under the bill are returned to CPB to be spent subsidizing other private radio producers. I offered an amendment in the Rules Committee to require that any funds not sent to NPR be redirected to pay down the deficit, but the amendment was ruled out of order. Therefore, public broadcasting will not see any reduction in federal funding even if this bill becomes law."