Today, the U.S. Senate approved legislation in subcommittee to level-fund the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for the coming fiscal year. It was the first time in nearly six years that the Senate considered the underlying legislation.

Also today, the U.S. House approved its appropriations bill in full committee, also level-funding the agencies.

During full committee consideration in the House, Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) offered an amendment to boost funding for both the NEA and the NEH to the President’s request, noting his interest to scale up healing arts therapy work with veterans and provide access in more areas across the country-- a program that is highly applauded in the committee's report. This would be a $2 million increase from current funding to $148 million for each agency. Although his amendment did not receive a vote, Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), David Price (D-NC), and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) all spoke favorably on it; Rep. Price also noted that the NEA and NEH are funded well below their historical levels. Just adjusting for inflation, he noted we'd be investing nearly double had Congress just retained 1992 levels in today's bill.

The committee reported out this legislation on a 30-21 vote, enabling it to next be considered on the House floor.

Despite the substantial effort in Congress to advance all appropriations bills in record time, gridlock is expected ahead; the President has also issued a veto threat on the bill due to numerous policy riders and budgetary caps.