DeLauro Hails Passage of Anti-Propaganda Provision In Supplemental Conference Report

DeLauro Hails Passage of Anti-Propaganda Provision In Supplemental Conference Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today hailed the passage of language in the Supplemental Appropriations bill that prohibits the use of federal funds to produce covert prepackaged news for the remainder of the fiscal year. Earlier this week, over 50 Members of Congress led by DeLauro and U.S. Representatives George Miller (Calif.-7) and Henry A. Waxman (Calif.-30) wrote a letter urging House and Senate appropriators to retain language in the final bill.

"With this vote, Congress sent a clear message to the Bush White House: covert propaganda of any kind has no place in our democracy," said DeLauro. "Our government's agenda should be able to stand on its own two feet - the president has said as much. The Administration should end these misinformation campaigns, which lead the public to believe news videos are independent and advocate for controversial Administration proposals that have already failed to win public support."

Congress has included anti-propaganda language in every appropriations bill since 1951. DeLauro, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, introduced the Federal Propaganda Prohibition Act of 2005 (H.R. 373) in January. The legislation makes the appropriations prohibition on covert propaganda a permanent part of the U.S. Code and calls for improved Congressional oversight on public relations contracts.

http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2005/May/supp_propaganda_05_05_05.html