Today, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee released its draft version of the FY 2015 Interior Appropriations bill which would provide an additional $4 million to both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Humanities Endowment (NEH)--to $150 million for each agency. This proposed funding is an increase from the House version, which would provide “level” funding of $146 million.

With record numbers of Senators requesting higher funding for the NEA and NEH, this Senate committee proposal is good news. However, with only a few legislative days remaining before the end of the fiscal year, it is doubtful a final bill will be negotiated, and a continuing resolution is now expected when Congress returns in September.