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
Bipartisan Arts Support in Congress
December 3, 2024
Last month, the Republican Party and President Donald Trump won a sweeping victory in the 2024 elections. President Trump was elected to a second term, while Republicans were able to win control of the Senate while maintaining a slim majority in the House of Representatives. The result means that, for the first time since December
Congress Keeps Government Open, But Arts Funding Remains in the Balance
October 1, 2024
Last week, Congress reached a bipartisan agreement to avoid a government shutdown, keeping the government funded until December 20 through a continuing resolution. This means that all government agencies, including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), will continue operating at their current funding levels for the time being. However, for arts advocates, the real
Despite Likely CR, Encourage NEA Support in Congress
September 3, 2024
As Congress returns to session this week after a month-long recess, they face an important deadline: the end of the fiscal year on September 30. With limited time to finalize a full appropriations bill for fiscal year 2025, it’s likely that they will opt for a continuing resolution, extending government funding until after the November
Urge Senate Support for FY2025 Arts Funding
July 2, 2024
The U.S. Congress is out of session this week for the July 4th holiday. Before members left town, we saw a flurry of activity related to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Specifically, the long-awaited fiscal year 2025 funding proposal from the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee was released, calling for the NEA’s appropriation
Emphasize Value of Arts and Creativity with Lawmakers
June 7, 2024
With the Presidential election heating up, ongoing efforts to secure funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) have slowed. As you know, the President has recommended increasing the NEA’s budget to $210.1 million, a slight but significant rise from the current $207 million. When that figure was announced, we heard from Congressional leadership
Congress Considers Arts Funding for FY2025
May 1, 2024
As this column goes to press, Congress is finally beginning the process of passing appropriations bills for fiscal year 2025. Its delay in doing so is not due to a lack of interest, but rather the result of the extended time it took Congress and President Biden to reach an agreement on the FY2024 bill.
Support President’s Proposed FY2025 Increase for NEA
April 3, 2024
March was on track to be one of the most consequential months of the year, with Congress facing a looming government shutdown and the President planning to submit his proposal for government funding to Congress for fiscal year 2025. Not only did Congress manage to avert two partial government shutdowns with last-minute, bipartisan agreements, but
Congress Averts Government Shutdown, but Work Remains
March 13, 2024
Once again, Congress was able to avert a partial government shutdown last week when members of the House and Senate were able to agree on a short-term continuing resolution that extends current funding levels for all federal agencies for several weeks. While far from ideal, the hope is that this most recent short-term extension will
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
2018
Continuing Resolution May Continue…
December 5, 2018
With the 2018 midterm elections finally resolved and members of Congress from both parties thinking about 2019 and beyond, the one sentiment that appears to be unifying legislators from both parties is their desire to wrap up their work and adjourn for the remainder of the year. Despite this unifying preference, at the time of
Congress Focuses on Midterms
October 10, 2018
A central goal for congressional leadership this year was to be able to complete work on all 12 appropriations bills, through regular order, before the fiscal year ended on September 30. This was an ambitious goal, as work on the fiscal year 2018 budget was not wrapped until late March, putting members of Congress about
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,
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 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
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
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
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
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