Legislative News
Read the latest arts news
Museum champions in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate are circulating bipartisan letters in support of “robust” funding for OMS in the coming fiscal year. In the House, the letter is led by Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY), Michael Grimm (R-NY), and Arts Caucus co-Chairs Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Leonard Lance (R-NJ). In the Senate, it is led by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Roy Blunt (R-MO).
Today the Obama Administration released its FY 2015 budget request to Congress, which includes funding for the nation's cultural agencies and programs, such as the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Office of Museum Services, and the Department of Education's Arts In Education program.
After more than three years of work, House Ways & Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) released comprehensive draft tax reform legislation on February 26, 2014 for review and comment.
Americans for the Arts joins nearly 500 organizations from across the country in sending a letter to Congress in support of the IRA Charitable Rollover and legislation to make the provision permanent. December 31, 2013 saw the expiration of more than 50 different tax provisions that require congressional renewal.
A bipartisan group of 35 U.S. Senators and Representatives called for immediate action to advance a nearly two-year old stalled process and finally end confusion over rules for musical instruments as carry-on luggage. Social media viral interest, petition efforts, and a congressionally mandated deadline have so far failed to speed agency rule-making.
Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and John Thune (R-SD) led a letter to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, co-signed by 31 additional Senators, urging the protection of the full value and scope of the charitable tax deduction during comprehensive tax reform consideration.
Appropriations leaders in Congress release the Fiscal Year 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which includes $146 million in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.
Representatives Frankel (D-FL), Lynch (D-MA), O’Rourke (D-TX), and Titus (D-NV) have all recently joined the Congressional Arts Caucus, which is currently co-chaired by Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Leonard Lance (R-NJ). The caucus now has 163 members.
President Obama issues a White House Proclamation declaring October National Arts and Humanities Month.
Congress returns from its August recess this week to a busy legislative agenda. The U.S. House is scheduled to be in session only nine days this month, and have a packed agenda with decisions looming over the outstanding funding legislation and potential default on the national debt. To allow for more time, they are expected to pass a short term funding measure called a Continuing Resolution to keep the government operational by maintaining current funding levels.
