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For Immediate Release

A Statement by Robert Lynch, President & CEO, Americans for the Arts.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following today's House floor vote appropriating $98 million to the National Endowment for the Arts, Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch said:

"Today's vote to restore $98 million to the National Endowment for the Arts affirms the broad bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, and we appreciate the leadership on both sides of the aisle from Congressman Sidney Yates, Congresswoman Nancy Johnson, Congressman Dave Obey and Congressman Ralph Regula, as well as the wonderful work of the Congressional Member Organization for the Arts led by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and Congressman Steve Horn. This resounding vote establishes a mandate for reauthorizing the NEA next year, which will further crystalize and build consensus for the agency. Americans for the Arts is particularly grateful to Congresswoman Johnson, whose crucial amendment paved the way for a long-awaited fair vote on NEA funding. We always knew that if we could get a fair vote on the House floor, arts advocates would prevail with funding for an agency that provides America's communities with increased access to the arts and culture - with more arts for more people, everybody wins."