“The phone calls and emails began coming in a few weeks ago to the Nebraska congressional delegation—all Republicans, and all potentially crucial to an expected fight over the very existence of the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities under President Trump,” writes Graham Bowley in Tuesday’s (2/28) New York Times. “With Trump administration officials now preparing deep cuts in domestic spending, including the possible elimination of the endowments, Republicans from politically red states like Nebraska could be decisive in saving federal funds for the arts and humanities…. Democrats have long supported the endowments … The first skirmishes over the N.E.A. and N.E.H. will be in the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies…. Some supporters are optimistic…. ‘Last year, that committee recommended a modest but significant increase,’ said Heather Noonan of the League of American Orchestras. ‘There may be a distance between what the President proposes and what the Congress is willing to embrace.’ … Molly O’Holleran, a member of the [Nebraska] state board of education … got a letter back this week from [Nebraska Senator Fischer] saying she, too, understood ‘the importance of ensuring access to the arts and humanities.’ ”
Posted March 1, 2017
