May 18, 2020
From: Isaac Brown, Legislative Counsel
Vol. 20:05

Friday evening, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed (207-199) a $3 trillion relief package aimed at addressing the health and economic crisis caused by COVID-19. The legislation includes $875 billion in funding for state and local governments as well as $10 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (including language acknowledging the federal-state partnership). NASAA applauds the House’s continued recognition of the critical role the Arts Endowment and state arts agencies can play in helping to assist artists and communities impacted by this disaster.

What comes next is uncertain. Republican leadership in the Senate and President Trump have already announced their opposition to the proposal in its current form, so it is widely expected that the legislation will need to be altered significantly before moving forward. NASAA will continue to monitor these discussions closely and continue to urge support for the arts.