The top executive at NPR failed to appear at a congressional hearing designed to examine alleged bias at the news outlet despite being funded by taxpayer dollars.

Katherine Maher, who was named CEO of NPR earlier this year, said she declined the invitation to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee due to a scheduling conflict. The committee went through with the hearing in Maher’s absence, arguing it was crucial to investigate any instances of political bias despite relying on public support from the taxpayer-funded Corporation for Public Broadcasting.