NASAA provides national representation for state and jurisdictional arts agencies, ensuring that their policy and resource interests have a persuasive voice in Washington. Federal updates, alerts and issue briefs keep NASAA members up to date and inform their ongoing contacts with Congress. To subscribe to NASAA Legislative Alerts, complete this form. For more information on NASAAu2019s federal policy goals, see Strengthening America through Arts and Innovation: A Federal Policy Agenda.
2026
FY2026 Appropriations Top Agenda for Congress
January 5, 2026
Congress has returned to Washington following the holiday recess, and lawmakers in both chambers are now laser-focused on completing a full fiscal year 2026 appropriations package before current funding expires on January 30. At this stage, there appears to be little appetite among House or Senate leadership—of either party—for another government shutdown, and appropriators are
NEA Funded for FY2026…
February 3, 2026
As we begin 2026, there is good news to report for the arts community. Congress has passed, and the President has signed into law, fiscal year 2026 funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) at $207 million. Importantly, the legislation fully preserves the federal-state partnership, including the long-standing requirement that 40% of NEA
Federal Arts Support Is Built on Strong Relationships
March 3, 2026
With the President’s State of the Union address now behind us, Washington has entered the early stages of the federal budget process for fiscal year 2027. The administration has not yet transmitted its formal budget request to Congress, but we can reasonably expect one element of the proposal to look familiar. As in previous years,
Encourage Legislators to Increase Arts Funding
April 1, 2026
Advocate for NEA Funding by May 21 Committee Date
May 5, 2026
With the President’s budget request now formally submitted to Congress and the recent resolution of the White House-Congress standoff over Department of Homeland Security funding—which brought an end to the 45-day agency shutdown—attention on Capitol Hill has shifted in earnest to the fiscal year 2027 appropriations process. As expected, the administration has once again proposed
Federal Budget Attention Turns to the Senate
June 1, 2026
2025
Preparing for Transition: Advocacy for the Arts in a New Washington
January 7, 2025
With less than two weeks before President-elect Trump is sworn in for his second term on January 20, the new Congress has arrived in Washington to take their oaths and begin governing. This Congress and the incoming administration face a packed agenda. Chief among their tasks is negotiating a full funding bill for fiscal year
As Administration Scrutinizes Funding, We Make the Case
February 4, 2025
On January 20, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. Almost immediately afterward, the President lived up to his promise to be bold and active. Within a week of taking office, the administration’s Office of Management and Budget released a memorandum that paused funding programs from all federal agencies,
As Congress and the Administration Focus on Appropriations, Focus on Your Relationships
March 4, 2025
With the deadline for federal funding set to expire on March 14, Republicans and Democrats are working to find common ground that will allow a continuing resolution (CR) to pass. A CR is a temporary funding measure that keeps the government operating at current spending levels when a formal appropriations bill has not been enacted.
President’s FY2026 Budget Cuts NEA
May 6, 2025
On Friday, the White House released the President Trump’s first fiscal year 2026 budget proposal. As many anticipated, it recommends eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), along with other cultural institutions. While the recommendation is disappointing, it is not binding. Under the Constitution, Congress—not the executive branch—holds the authority to set federal funding
Congress’s Return Brings Major Fiscal Fights—and Challenges for Arts Funding
June 3, 2025
After adjourning for the Memorial Day recess, Congress returned to Washington this week with an intense focus on advancing President Trump’s top legislative priority: a reconciliation package to extend the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Failure to pass this legislation would result in tax increases for most Americans and businesses, a scenario Republicans are
Federal Arts Funding Faces a Critical Test
July 1, 2025
As Congress prepares for its July 4th recess, we are awaiting the release of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee’s draft fiscal year 2026 budget for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This will be the first official response to the President’s proposal to eliminate NEA funding entirely. Advocates will remember that similar proposals were
Advocate Now for Federal Arts Funding
September 3, 2025
Congress returned to Washington this week facing an immediate deadline: current federal funding expires on September 30, and the likelihood of a government shutdown is higher now than at any point in President Trump’s second term. Unlike July’s reconciliation bill, which Republicans passed on a party-line vote, appropriations bills require at least seven Democratic senators
The Government Shutdown
October 1, 2025
At 12:01 this morning, the federal government shut down. After weeks of brinkmanship, lawmakers in both parties were unable to bridge their differences in time to keep agencies open. While shutdowns have become an almost familiar feature of Washington in recent years, this one carries the same old uncertainties—for federal workers, for the programs they
2024
Sequestration Possible If Congress Does Not Act
February 6, 2024
As I noted in last month’s column, Congress returned to session in January with aspirations to solve the looming fiscal year 2024 budget crisis. Due to significant differences of opinion between the House and Senate late last year, Congress had elected to extend current funding levels rather than passing a full appropriations bill. The idea
NEA 2024 Funding Awaits Action in Congress
January 3, 2024
Congress plans to return to D.C. next week following a lengthy holiday recess. When it does, members will be confronted with a time line to fund the federal government for the remainder of fiscal year 2024 (which began on October 1, 2023, and ends on September 30, 2024). You may recall that when Congress extended
2023
Let’s Continue the Momentum for Federal Arts Funding
January 3, 2023
Members of Congress returned to Washington last week to begin their new term. Unlike the previous two years, which saw the Democrats in control of both legislative chambers and the White House, the Republicans will assume power over the House of Representatives for the first time since 2018. Single-party control had allowed the Biden administration
NEA’s Prospects in New Congress
February 1, 2023
The new congressional term got off to an eventful start in January, as the country witnessed the House Republican Caucus debate, and ultimately select, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as the speaker of the House. While the process didn’t go the way McCarthy had hoped, it was certainly a clear insight into what we might have
Attention, Advocates: President’s FY2024 Budget to Be Released
March 7, 2023
This week, President Biden is expected to release his budget request to Congress for fiscal year 2024. While not a binding document, the President’s budget is an important first step in the budget process as it communicates to the legislative branch the initiatives and programs the administration would like to see funded. It is also
Urge House Not to Reduce NEA FY2024 Funding
April 4, 2023
Last month, the Biden administration sent to Congress its fiscal year 2024 budget proposal, which included an increase in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) of $4 million, to $211 million. While not a binding document, the President’s recommendations are taken seriously, and send an important message about the priorities of the
Debt Ceiling Negotiations Could Impact FY2024 NEA Funding
May 1, 2023
As you know, in March President Biden signaled his support for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) when he proposed increasing the agency’s appropriation for fiscal year 2024 to $211 million. This step was significant in two respects. First, the continued support for the arts is important, and second, the submission of the President’s
NEA Budget Uncertain after Debt Ceiling Deal
June 7, 2023
Last week, after many of months of negotiation, President Biden and Congress were able to avoid an economic catastrophe by coming to an agreement to suspend the nation’s borrowing limit until January 2025. In making the deal, President Biden is now able to remove any doubt about the debt ceiling until after his first term.
Connect with Congress This Summer
July 5, 2023
As Congress settles in for the July 4th holiday this week, major questions and uncertainty continue to swirl regarding the pathway forward for federal funding for all domestic spending programs. The agreement reached last month to suspend the debt limit put in place spending levels for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. While that agreement was
Government Shutdown Looms: Rally for Arts Funding
September 6, 2023
This first week of September, Congress returns to D.C. after a lengthy summer recess. Greeting members upon their return is a stark reality: they have less than a month to negotiate a fiscal year 2024 spending package in order to avert a government shutdown. As of this writing, the likelihood of a government shutdown seems
2022
President, Congress Trudge Ahead
January 3, 2022
As Congress returns to session this week, the stakes for President Biden and Democratic leadership couldn’t be higher. As outlined in my last column, President Biden had hoped that by the end of December he would be able to tout passage of the Build Back Better Act, the signature bill of his legislative agenda, as
Waiting for Passage of FY2022 Budget Is Opportunity to Request Arts Support
February 2, 2022
After a disappointing ending to 2021, President Biden and congressional Democrats entered this year with an ambitious agenda. They hoped to pass the fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills, resolve any lingering disagreements and pass the President’s top legislative priority, the Build Back Better Act (BBB), and enact election reform legislation. February arrives with work on
NEA Increase Likely When FY2022 Budget Bill Passes
March 1, 2022
This year has been off to a bit of an odd start in Congress. Despite the same party controlling the House, Senate and White House, an agreement on funding for fiscal year 2022 has proven elusive. As a result, the House and Senate last month passed a short-term continuing resolution, with the hopes that a
President Biden Proposes NEA Funding Increase for FY2023
April 5, 2022
After signing the fiscal year 2022 budget into law in early March, President Biden and his administration wasted no time turning their attention to the FY2023 budget, releasing their proposal to Congress last week. The quick turnaround was necessary because delays in passing the previous budget had set the timetable for this budget significantly behind
Support Increased Funding for NEA in FY2023
May 2, 2022
Last week, Congress returned to session after a two-week recess. It faces a daunting schedule. On the agenda are negotiations around two signature pieces of the Biden agenda: a spending package previously known as the Build Back Better Act, which would infuse almost $2 trillion into the economy to invest in climate policies and a
NEA Chair’s Testimony to Congress
June 6, 2022
This week, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chair Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson appears before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies. While seemingly routine, this appearance by Dr. Jackson is anything but, as it marks the first time in recent history that the chair of the Arts Endowment has been invited
House Advances Funding Increase for NEA
July 12, 2022
Congress returns to session this week, following a break for the Fourth of July holiday. Greeting the members is an ambitious priority list. Before they adjourn at the end of the month, Democratic leadership hopes to be able to pass a trillion-dollar stimulus bill that will focus on several priorities critical to President Biden, including
House FY2023 NEA Increase: Encouraging, but More Work to Do
August 2, 2022
As we reported late last month, the House of Representatives passed a series of funding bills for fiscal year 2023, including the Interior and Related Agencies bill, which includes the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). In that bill, the House approved increasing the agency’s budget to $207 million. The legislation also reiterates Congress’s long-standing
2021
Congress Wraps a Busy Year with Big Fiscal Package
January 5, 2021
As is often the case, the close of 2020, and of the 116th Congress, was a busy one, as members of Congress and the Trump administration were negotiating and voting on legislation until January 2, the very last day of the legislative term. Fortunately, as you are no doubt aware, after considerable challenges, Congress was
Biden Administration and New Congress Get to Work
February 2, 2021
On January 20, President Joe Biden was sworn into office. Greeting the President is an unprecedented number of challenges for a new administration, including managing the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis while also setting a new agenda. While the latter is still being established, the Biden administration has made clear that addressing the
Anticipating Arts Support in Federal Emergency Bill and FY2022 Budget
March 3, 2021
At the time of writing this column, Congress and the Biden administration are in the midst of negotiating a $1.9 trillion emergency relief package that they hope to pass no later than the middle of March, when many of the emergency programs extended in the December relief bill are set to expire. While the plan
It’s Arts Advocacy Season: Take Action
April 6, 2021
This week marks an important event in our advocacy calendar, as supporters from around the country meet, this year virtually, for the National Arts Action Summit. In a normal year, this event marks the kickoff of the annual appropriations season, where NASAA and other arts organizations work together to advance policies that support the arts.
Seeking Arts Support in Infrastructure and Budget Bills
May 3, 2021
Last week, on the eve of his 100th day in office, President Biden spoke to a joint session of Congress for the first time. In his remarks, the President laid out an ambitious agenda that includes robust investment in an infrastructure package he hopes to pass by the end of the fiscal year. That legislation,
Support Administration’s Request for NEA Budget Increase
June 2, 2021
Late on May 28, the Biden administration released its first budget request to Congress regarding funding levels and priorities for fiscal year 2022. While not binding, the President’s budget request (particularly any administration’s first) is a critical document, as it articulates the newly inaugurated President’s goals and objectives. For example, the Trump administration’s decision to
Support FY2022 Funding Increase for NEA
July 7, 2021
The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations approved a $33.5 million increase to the fiscal year 2022 appropriation for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This matches the amount proposed by the White House to bring the agency’s funding level up to $201 million. The bill will next move to the House floor for its
Press for Federal Arts Funding during August Recess
August 3, 2021
As of the time I am writing this column, members of the U.S. Senate are working furiously to complete work on a significant infrastructure bill that provides more than $500 billion in new federal spending intended to modernize the nation’s transportation and energy sectors. While the arts are not specifically addressed in this legislation, completion
2020
Federal Arts Funding Success and Prospects
January 6, 2020
Happy new year! Everyone at NASAA is very excited about what lies ahead for us in 2020. But before looking ahead, I’d like to reflect back on the end of 2019, which turned out to be a landmark year for the National Endowment for the Arts and its support in Congress. As is often the
2020 Is Off to a Busy Start—Here’s How You Can Help
February 6, 2020
Historically, activity in Washington tends to be relatively uneventful in presidential election years because members of Congress from both parties prefer to be back in their home districts and states engaging in their campaigns. This year the expectation is no different, especially since control of the House, Senate and White House are closely contested. While
President Trump Calls for Closure of National Endowment for the Arts
March 2, 2020
Last month President Trump, for the fourth time in his presidency, called for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts. Although this proposal was anticipated, it is nonetheless disappointing and serious. While we have been successful in thwarting these proposals in the past—thanks to the robust advocacy of our members and partner organizations,
Congress Eyes New Round of Disaster Relief Funding
April 7, 2020
Congress is currently out of session, a planned recess to accommodate the Passover and Easter holidays. It is scheduled to return on April 24, and when it does, it is widely believed that the House and Senate will begin negotiating another round of emergency funding to support the health and economic crisis caused by COVID-19.
Congress Considers How to Resume Business, Provide More Relief Funding
May 7, 2020
Like you, the federal government is trying to figure out how to go about doing the critically necessary work brought on by the COVID-19 crisis while also keeping its employees safe. Congress is no exception: as of publication, it is an open question when and how “normal” business will resume. In the meantime, Congress and
Appropriations, Fiscal Budget, Economic Aid Compete for Congress’s Attention
June 2, 2020
Following a busy May, the House and Senate return to D.C. this week with a full agenda on their plate. In addition to dealing with the health and economic crisis caused by COVID-19, leadership has stated its intention to try to pass all 12 fiscal appropriations bills before the July 4 recess. How Congress will
House Bill Proposes Arts Increase; Contact Your Senators
July 8, 2020
This week, Congress demonstrated once again that the growing, bipartisan support we’ve seen for the National Endowment for the Arts in recent years continues to thrive, even in the midst of an economic and health crisis caused by the COVID-19 virus. On Tuesday, the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee approved an increase in funding for the
House Approves Arts Funding Increase, Senate Action Expected in the Fall
August 3, 2020
At the time of writing this column, the House and Senate are engaged in an intense back-and-forth with the Trump administration over the size and scope of an expected COVID-19 relief bill. While at one time it was thought that this bill would be focused on restarting the economy, the recent surge in virus cases
2019
You Can Connect with Congress Despite Shutdown
January 7, 2019
Last week the new session of Congress, which included 101 new members of the House of Representatives and 10 new senators, was sworn into office. While leaders in both parties have major initiatives, the most immediate issue facing this new crew is an old one. The partial shutdown of the government, which began on December
Connect with Congress on NEA Funding
February 5, 2019
When the federal government partially shut down, the 116th Congress began its term under unusual circumstances, forced to deal with complicated negotiations from day one. Now that the government has completely reopened, congressional leadership is working simultaneously both to find a solution that will fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year (the
Urge NEA Funding of $167.5 Million for FY2020
March 6, 2019
2019 is off to a busy start. As you are aware, last month, with another government shutdown only days away, members of Congress and President Trump were able to reach an agreement to fund all federal agencies until the end of this fiscal year (September 30). In doing so, the National Endowment for the Arts
How to Get Buy-in for the NEA’s FY2020 Budget
April 3, 2019
Last month, when President Trump submitted his budget proposal to Congress for fiscal year 2020, it included a recommendation to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). While this was not unexpected, it is nevertheless disappointing, particularly given the critical leadership, programming and support that continues to be developed and implemented at the arts
NEA Increase: May Window Critical in Congress
April 29, 2019
After a two-week recess for the Easter and Passover holidays, Congress returned to session this week for what may be one of the busiest work periods of the year. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has set an ambitious goal of completing all 13 fiscal year 2020 appropriations bills before July 4. Given that the House
House Committee Approves Increase in Funding for the NEA
June 5, 2019
May was a great month in D.C. for the arts and state arts agencies! It began with NASAA holding a fantastic briefing in the U.S. Capitol examining the power of arts and culture to expand economic opportunities for the 60 million Americans who live in rural areas. The event was widely attended and included remarks
House Passes NEA Funding Increase
July 9, 2019
Late last month, before adjourning for the July Fourth recess, the House of Representatives passed by a vote of 227 to 194 legislation that would increase National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) fiscal year 2020 funding from its existing level of $155 million to $167.5 million. While the vote was almost entirely along party lines,
As August Recess Begins, NEA FY2020 Budget Still Uncertain
August 5, 2019
While Congress begins its annual August recess, it does so having confirmed Mary Anne Carter’s nomination to lead the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). NASAA has thoroughly enjoyed working with Carter since she was appointed to a senior position with the agency early in 2017 and as her role has grown. Though the approval
2018
Congress Continues to Negotiate Funding Legislation, Agreement Remains Elusive
February 7, 2018
Last month, when members of the House and Senate agreed to end the shutdown and fund the government until February 8, the prevailing thought at that time was that a longer-term agreement was within reach. Unfortunately, at the time of publication of this column, members of Congress appear no closer to resolving their differences than
Congress Has a Busy Year Ahead
January 3, 2018
President Trump and congressional Republicans secured their most substantial victory since assuming office last year when they passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the most significant change to the nation’s tax code in 30 years. While passage of that bill is truly noteworthy, there isn’t much time to celebrate as the President and members
Arts Advocacy Opportunities
March 9, 2018
With Arts Advocacy Day only a few days away, we are at a critical point in time here in Washington. At this moment, members of Congress are working feverishly to wrap up work on fiscal year 2018 appropriations legislation while simultaneously beginning the process for FY2019. Because our champions on the Hill have a lot
Congress Gears Up for Appropriations Push
May 2, 2018
Following a busy work period that included passing a large federal spending package that increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to $153 million, members of the House and Senate are currently out of session and are spending time in their districts. When they return on Monday, members of both chambers are
Congress Affirms Support for NEA
June 15, 2018
Following the Memorial Day recess, Congress returned to session with a full agenda of must-pass bills it would like to tackle. Perhaps indicative of this full slate, the work period began with an announcement from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) that most of the August recess would be canceled to allow the Senate more
NEA Well-Positioned As Congress Progresses on Appropriations
July 10, 2018
With the July 4th recess in the rear-view mirror and the midterm elections only four months away, members of the House and Senate expect to be working furiously over the next few months. So much work is left on the agenda that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has already announced his intention to cancel
The Likelihood of an FY2019 NEA Funding Increase
August 8, 2018
As we reported last week, the Senate passed legislation that would increase the appropriation for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) by $2 million, to $155 million, for fiscal year 2019. That action matched that of the House of Representatives, which voted for the same earlier this summer. While these moves put the NEA
NEA FY2019 Increase Waits in the Wings
September 11, 2018
The House and Senate returned to session last week, after adjourning in August for the summer recess. They come back for an uncertain period of time, as the midterm elections are approaching and members from both parties want to head home for as long as possible to campaign for themselves and their colleagues. There are,
2017
Arts Advocates Needed Now
January 11, 2017
With President-elect Trump set to be inaugurated on the 20th, activity in Congress is beginning to ramp up. Already, key committees are planning hearings on issues critical to the incoming administration and Congress. As we look ahead, it is clear that Congress plans to take aggressive action on health care and tax reform. The political
Facts: Arts and the White House
February 8, 2017
Washington is abuzz with activity. After years of gridlock brought on by policy disagreements between the Obama administration and the Republican leadership that controlled both chambers of Congress, that party is now in control of both the legislative and executive branches of the federal government. Historically, one-party control leads to busy and productive governing periods
Awaiting Trump’s Budget Request
March 14, 2017
After months of speculation, President Trump and his administration are expected to release their first budget request for fiscal year 2018 this week.The release of any new administration’s first budget is highly anticipated and there is wide-ranging speculation about what budget actions the Trump administration will recommend. As a staunch supporter of the National Endowment
President Proposes FY2017 NEA Cut
April 5, 2017
While NASAA and other arts organizations were in the midst of responding to the news that the Trump administration was proposing elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in its fiscal year 2018 budget, details emerged last week that the administration also was encouraging Congress to consider reducing the agency’s budget by $15
FY2017 Funding Set—On to ’18
May 6, 2017
After months of often tense negotiations between Congress and the administration, and the very real possibility of a government shutdown, late last week Congress passed and the President signed a $1 trillion spending bill that will fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year (through September 30). The bipartisan agreement increases defense spending
Appropriations Process in Holding Pattern, Tax Reform on Agenda
November 7, 2017
Congress Works to Pass Tax Reform, Appropriations before Year’s End
December 5, 2017
After months of frustration, Republicans in Congress appear poised to score their first significant legislative victory of the Trump presidency. Late last week, the Senate, on a narrow 51-49 vote, approved legislation revising the tax code. The chamber has now moved to go to conference to negotiate differences within its bill with the version the