The VOA might be done for if Agency for Global Media Special Advisor Kari Lake gets her way. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The hearing marked the first time Lake testified before lawmakers since President Trump tapped her for the position. She told lawmakers that Chinese spies infiltrated the VOA’s Mandarin service. And Russian spooks nearly made the payroll at Radio Free Europe.
"This is not the voice of America. This is the voice of America's enemies," said Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky.
Democrats say curbing VOA silences the U.S. from transmitting news and truthful information into enemy territory.
Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., was apoplectic at the Trump Administration’s plans to cancel many of the government’s radio and TV broadcasts abroad.
"My God. It's the worst and most stupid thing that we could do in foreign affairs," fumed Sherman. "That's our soft power. That's our effort to bring freedom of information and hopefully democracy to the entire world. That's how we explain ourselves in dozens of different languages. And for them to gut it? In terms of our influence in the world, Voice of America and its sister broadcasters is more important than an aircraft carrier."
Sherman reiterated his concerns about diminishing soft power at the hearing, adding that changes to the VOA lineup may appeal to a special audience abroad.
"I think Putin would be very happy," said Sherman about the Russian leader. "Bombs are powerful. Truth is more powerful."
But it’s not just Democrats who fret about the static on the government airwaves.
Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif., says unwinding Radio Free Asia cedes power to China and North Korea.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., accused Lake of having a "background backing dictators." (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Democrats piled on.
"I’m also concerned about your ability to promote American democracy given your background backing dictators," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.
Other Democrats highlighted Lake’s controversial political history and how she questioned the results of both races.
"You have been sanctioned twice for providing false information to courts. Isn't that true? Yes or no?," asked Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., the former mayor of Phoenix.
"I was brave enough to fight our shoddy elections. And the courts have not caught up," fired back Lake.
TRUMP ORDERS THE DISMANTLING OF GOVERNMENT-FUNDED, 'PROPAGANDA'-PEDDLING MEDIA OUTLET
"The American people cannot believe a word you say," said Stanton. "You lost, fair and square. Instead of conceding, you embarrassed yourself and our state by lying again and again for years, blaming everything under the sun for your loss except for your own toxic politics. You lie about that election to this very day."
After Lake’s dual political losses, Stanton had a request of Lake.
"Will you do us all a favor and run it back and run again?" he asked.
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., called VOA a "Cold War relic." (Getty Images)
VOA fired dozens of staff in its Persian division. But restored some programming as tensions rose between Iran and Israel – culminating in the recent U.S. airstrikes. But the VOA’s Persian service used to broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Even though VOA bolstered some reporting amid the crisis, it was a fraction of the work the organization used to do.
"From my understanding the VOA operation is pretty much gone," observed Kim at the hearing.
"No. It’s not gone. We’re doing what is statutorily required," replied Lake. "The statutory minimum."
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That means VOA and other services are but a husk. Congress will prepare spending bills for the entire federal government over the next three months. What lawmakers decide to do with funding for VOA and Global Media will foretell the future of the organizations. And if the microphones fall silent for good.
Chad Pergram currently serves as a senior congressional correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC). He joined the network in September 2007 and is based out of Washington, D.C.
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