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
Congress Acts Early to Avoid a Shutdown—but the NEA Debate Is Far from Over
September 1, 2026
Congress returned to Washington this week and, somewhat surprisingly, quickly took one of its biggest year-end fights off the table—at least for now. On September 1, the House overwhelmingly approved a short-term continuing resolution (CR) that will keep the federal government funded through December 11. The legislation had already passed the Senate and now heads
Washington Update: Appropriations Season Enters a Critical Phase
August 5, 2026
With only a few days remaining before the House and Senate begin their August recess, Congress continues to work through the FY2027 appropriations process. While several appropriations bills have advanced, the Senate has not yet released its version of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies appropriations bill—the measure that funds the National Endowment for the
Federal Budget Attention Turns to the Senate
June 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
Encourage Legislators to Increase Arts Funding
April 1, 2026
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,
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
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
2025
Urge Lawmakers to Support Level Funding for NEA
December 1, 2025
Isaac Brown As the year winds down, Congress is once again focused on appropriations. Following passage of the continuing resolution last month, House and Senate negotiators have shifted to the work of finalizing full-fiscal-year 2026 spending bills for all federal agencies—including that of the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, which funds the National
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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,
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
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
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
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
2022
The New Congress, the Budget and the Arts
December 6, 2022
Earlier this week, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) successfully won reelection for another six-year term. The conclusion of that race marked the end of a close and contentious midterm election cycle. With the result now known, members of Congress and President Biden can work intensely to finish unresolved business before the legislative session ends this month.
Congress Awaits the Midterm Elections
November 1, 2022
On November 8, elections will be held for every seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and approximately one-third of the U.S. Senate. These elections, often referred to as the midterms because they occur at the midway point of the President’s term, are significant, not only because they will determine control of the legislative branch,
How to Convince Your Senators to Boost NEA Funding
September 13, 2022
Following a shortened August recess that allowed Congress to pass the President’s signature legislative achievement thus far, the Inflation Reduction Act, Congress returned to session this week. Greeting those members upon their return is the pending deadline for fiscal year 2023 appropriations. Current funding is set to expire at the end of this month, and
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
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
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
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
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
2021
Steady As She Goes: Urge NEA Increase for 2022
December 1, 2021
Following a recess for the Thanksgiving holiday, the U.S. House and Senate returned to session this week facing some near-term deadlines. With current funding for the federal government set to expire on December 3, on December 2 Congress agreed to another continuing resolution extending current funding until February 18. While there was optimism initially that
Advocate for FY2022 Federal Arts Budget
November 1, 2021
While most of Washington’s focus at the moment is centered upon the President’s visit to Glasgow for the U.N. Climate Conference and the ongoing negotiations around the Build Back Better Act, members of the House and Senate are quietly negotiating a large fiscal package that will include funding for every federal agency for the remainder
Congress Passes Short-Term Funding Bill amid Debate over Infrastructure Spending
October 5, 2021
As I noted in my last column, the fall was expected to be one of the most active legislative sessions in recent memory. Work was planned to pass a $1 trillion infrastructure bill, focused mainly on traditional transportation programs like roads and bridges, and a second, even larger spending package that would focus on climate
Congress Prepares for Busy Work Period
September 1, 2021
The last week of August is usually a calm one in Washington, D.C., with members of Congress spread out across the country enjoying time off and spending time with their constituents. This year, however, has turned out to be one of the busiest in recent memory, and the level of activity forced staff and many
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
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
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
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,
2020
FY2021 Budget, COVID-19 Aid, Working with Next President and Congress
December 1, 2020
This week, members of the House and Senate are expected to return to Washington after a brief recess last week for the Thanksgiving holiday. Awaiting their return are critical and sensitive negotiations surrounding funding for federal agencies and whether to enact further relief for communities impacted by COVID-19 as cases of the virus grow throughout
With Election Results Pending, Outlook for 2021 Uncertain
November 3, 2020
Heading into Tuesday’s election, many experts predicted a razor-thin outcome, and those predictions appear to have proved correct. At the time of writing this column, the President holds a narrowing lead in many battleground states, while control of the Senate, which will be vital to supporting the agenda of the eventual President, is too close
Federal Budget, Relief Negotiations Face Obstacles
October 6, 2020
With November’s election for President and Congress less than a month away, several important and time-sensitive issues remain unresolved. First and foremost, the President’s contraction of the coronavirus has inserted tremendous uncertainty into the negotiations over another round of stimulus funding to deal with the health and economic crisis caused by the pandemic. Further, the
CR in Forecast as Congress Deals with COVID-19 Impasse
September 2, 2020
When members of the House of Representatives and Senate return to D.C. following their August recess, they do so with seemingly more questions than answers about the pathway forward on many key issues facing Congress. First and foremost, of course, is the ongoing federal response to the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, and
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
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
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
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
2019
Congress Aims to Pass Funding Bills before Holiday Break
December 2, 2019
Members of the House and Senate came back to Washington this week for what is expected to be a busy and contentious work period. Current funding for the federal government is set to expire in less than three weeks (December 20), and while members of both parties are motivated to resolve differences and pass fiscal
Senate Approves NEA Funding
November 6, 2019
With less than a month remaining before funding for the federal government expires on November 21, the U.S. Senate took a significant step forward when it passed its first fiscal 2020 spending package last week. Senators voted 84-9 on a $332 billion spending package, which combined four domestic spending bills covering the departments of Agriculture,
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
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,
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
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
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
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
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
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
Appropriations Process in Holding Pattern, Tax Reform on Agenda
November 7, 2017
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
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
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
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
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