Following is the AAM Government Affairs Alert which we sent to our
Museum Advocacy Team.  If you have any questions, contact Barry Szczesny
([log in to unmask]) or Andy Finch ([log in to unmask]).
*************
To:  Museum Advocacy Team
From:  AAM Government Affairs

Date:  July 24, 1998

Re:  CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU!  NEA FUNDS RESTORED IN SOLID HOUSE
VOTE

As most of you already know, the U.S. House of Representatives on
Tuesday, July 21 approved an amendment to the FY 1999 Interior
Appropriations Bill offered by Representative Nancy Johnson (R-CT) to
allow level funding ($98 million) for the NEA next year.  The vote was
253 in favor to 173 opposed -- better than anyone had hoped.  In fact,
the main focus of the debate (such as it was) was a fight over whether
the funding amendment would be offered by a Democrat or a Republican.
On July 23, an amendment to strip $50 million from the agency was
defeated 285 to 139.

The House then approved the entire underlying $13.4 billion Interior
Appropriations bill.  The Senate is expected to act on its version of
the bill in September.  But in light of the House vote, $98 million is
now pretty much a worst case scenario for a final number for NEA's FY
1999 appropriation.  So thanks to your dedicated efforts, the political
climate continues to improve.

Just as important as making your views known to your legislators is
thanking them when they do the right thing.  A thank you letter goes a
long way to encourage them to stay the course and is usually brought
directly to their attention by staff.  For many in the House, this was a
risky vote in an election year, and they need to hear from you that
supporting the NEA was the right thing to do.  To see if your
representative voted "aye" on the Johnson amendment, refer to the
following Website:

http://clerkweb.house.gov/evs/1998/index.asp  (choose Roll No. 312)

If you do not have Internet access and want to find out if your
representative voted for the Johnson amendment or if you have any
questions, please contact us at (202) 289-9125.  Thank you again!