Conversation With The Congresswoman: Bachmann Talks Nuclear, NPR, Federal Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congresswoman Michele Bachmann talked with WJON news about a variety of topics.

On the disaster in Japan:
Bachmann says the United States should be learning a lot from the disaster that's happening in Japan.  She says operators of nuclear plants like the one in Monticello are watching, and learning, as workers in Japan deal with their crippled plant.

And despite the recent events in Japan, Bachmann says she still believe nuclear energy is a viable source of energy.

On Funding NPR:
The House has voted to end federal funding to National Public Radio. Republican supporters say it made good fiscal sense, and Democratic opponents calling it an ideological attack that would deprive local stations of access to programs such as "Car Talk" and "All Things Considered."  Bachmann says the government just can't afford to support it any longer.

The bill, passed along partisan lines, bars federal funding of NPR and prohibits local public stations from using federal money to pay NPR dues and buy its programs. The prospects of support in the Senate are slim.

On Funding the Federal Government:
Congress has approved $6 billion in spending cuts as part of legislation to keep the government running for three more weeks and give President Barack Obama and congressional leaders time to negotiate a far more sweeping package of reductions demanded by Republicans.

It has passed both the House and Senate, however Congresswoman Michele Bachmann was one of 54 House Republicans who voted against the bill.

The White House and Capitol Hill Republicans remain far apart on larger legislation to cover the day-to-day operations of the government until the 2012 fiscal year begins in October.