There were two attempts to eliminate federal funding for the arts and humanities in the U.S. House of Representatives this session and both were defeated!
On November 2, 2023, the House passed the Fiscal Year 2024 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, H.R. 4821. During the session, Amendments 60 and 61 were proposed to cut funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Both were voted down.
Two amendments were sponsored by Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-PA-10). Amendment #60 to eliminate all funding for the NEA was defeated by a vote of 292-129. Amendment #61 to eliminate all funding to the NEH was defeated by a vote of 292 to 132.
100% of Democrats voted against both amendments and were joined by a strong 39% of Republicans to make a bipartisan declaration that Congress supports the arts and culture.
The house bill will now move to the Senate, without either amendment on the table.
Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide. By advancing equitable opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States.
Find information on grants, initiatives, and more at www.arts.gov.