Senate vote imminent on IMS, NEA, and NEH appropriations

Senate vote imminent on fy 1997 ims, neh, and nea appropriations:
amendments to increase funding expected

The Senate FY97 Interior Appropriations bill (H.R. 3662), which
contains funding for the IMS, NEH, and NEA, could go to the Senate
floor as early as this Wednesday (9/11) or Thursday (9/12).  This
vote is critical because we know of at least two possible amendments
to increase funding over the amounts currently in the bill.  One
would increase funding for the NEH and NEA by $8 million and $2
million, respectively.  The second also is an NEA/NEH targeted
amount but with a $10 million/$2 million split.

The Senate Appropriations Committee recommended funding for the IMS
at $21 million, and the NEA and NEH at $99.5 million each.  This
means that the IMS and NEA would remain funded at last year's
levels, but that the NEH would lose $10.5 million.  As you recall,
the House has already passed its appropriations bill with funding
consistent with last year for IMS and NEA but, similarly, with less
funding for the NEH at $104.5 million.  These amendments are most
likely the last realistic chance to improve the Senate bill and get
level (or nearly level) funding for NEH.

Please call your Senators ASAP.  Urge them to support amendments
that increase funding for the NEH and NEA.  As always, let your
Senators know why the cultural agencies are important to you and
your community; this is far more consequential to them than abstract
arguments about the value of culture. You might also remind them
that these agencies have already been cut by 40 percent from 1995
levels.

You can reach the Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121.  Many
Senators are reachable via e-mail. Access the Senate via the Library
of Congress web site: http:\\www.loc.gov.thomas. Thank you for your
help,

Sarah Z. Rosenberg
Executive Director
AIC
1717 K St., NW Ste. 301
Washington, DC 20006
202-452-9545
Fax: 202-452-9328

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 10:26
                Distributed: Tuesday, September 10, 1996
                       Message Id: cdl-10-26-010
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