Following is the information alert we sent to members of the Museum
Advocacy Team concerning the Senate's recent action on the federal
cultural agencies.

Barry Szczesny
AAM Government Affairs
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Date:     September 18, 1997

To:     Museum Advocacy Team
About:  We win four votes in the Senate!!!


As the Senate finishes up its work tonight on the Interior
Appropriations bill, it's nice to have good news to report.

Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the Senate voted on four
amendments targeting the National Endowment for the Arts.  All four were
defeated.  They were:

Sponsors                Effect                  Vote

Ashcroft (MO)   to eliminate NEA                23-77
Abraham (MI)    to "privatize" NEA              26-73
Hutchinson (AR) to send 99% of $ to states      37-62
Hutchison (TX)  to send 75% of $ to states      39-61

Additionally, NO amendment was offered to impose a narrow, arbitrary
definition on "arts education."  And finally, the Senate adopted by
voice vote a resolution stating it "intends" to hold hearings and a full
debate on reauthorizing the NEA before this Congress is out, i.e., by
the end of next year.

So the Interior appropriations bill moves forward toward a House-Senate
conference which is expected to meet within the next week.  As you'll
recall, the Senate funds the museum portion of IMLS at $22.29 million,
NEA at $100.05 million, and NEH at $110.70 million, while the House
figures are $23.39 million, zero, and $110.00 million, respectively.

Please let us know if you want to find out how your Senators voted.  You
can reach us at (202) 289-9125; fax 289-6578; or send us e-mail via our
web site at http://www.aam-us.org.

Thanks for the calls and messages up to the Hill -- they really work!