AAM is faxing the following message to members of the Museum Advocacy Team
tonight:

SENATE VOTE IMMINENT ON FY 1997 IMS, NEH and NEA FUNDING
Amendments to Increase Funding Expected

The Senate FY 97 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.  The 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 NEH/NEA targeted amendment but with a $10 million/$2 million split.

The Senate Appropriations Committee recommended funding for the IMS at
$21 million, 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 the
IMS and NEA but, similarly, withy 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 your organization; 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

Please let me know if you any questions.

Andy Finch
AAM Government Affairs
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