Congressional Open Letter Calls for Increase in N.E.A. Funding, Opposing Calls by Donald Trump to Cut the Organization

April 13th, 2017

Representatives Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY) and Leonard Lance (R-NJ) have penned an open letter not only condemning Donald Trump’s proposal to eliminate the N.E.A., but also asking to increase funding to the organization.  The letter, signed by more than 150 members of Congress, indicates strong government opposition to Trump’s plans.  “Federal investment in the arts provides all Americans with expanded opportunities to engage with the arts in each state and district,” the letter states. “The NEA reached its peak funding at $176 million in FY92, and has never fully recovered from a 40 percent budget cut in FY96.”

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