Update: Obama Administration Stands by Funding Increase for NPR

In light of recent controversial comments made by NPR's (now former) senior vice president, the Obama White House insists its funding should be increased in spite of calls to cut off NPR's taxpayer funding.

In his latest budget proposal, President Obama calls for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting -- which supports NPR -- to receive an additional $31 million in funding, increasing last year's federal allotment from $420 million in FY 2010 to $451 million for FY 2011.

On Wednesday, White House press secretary Jay Carney defended the increase in NPR funding as "worthwhile" and described it as an "important priority" for the Obama administration.

Just six months ago, NPR fired Juan Williams for voicing his own opinion during a segment on Fox News. Williams appeared on FNC's Hannity Tuesday evening to discuss the organization's latest controversy. Additionally, in a video posted by the Huffington Post Wednesday, Williams decried NPR as an "all-white organization" and described his firing as the "worst of white condescension":