Performing Arts Alliance - Urge House to Vote NO on Harmful Amendments to the NEA
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Performing Arts Alliance - Urge House to Vote NO on Harmful Amendments to the NEA
February 15, Washington, DC - Today, amendments to eliminate and severely cut FY11 funding to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) were offered by Reps. Scott Garrett (R-NJ-5) and Tim Walberg (R-MI-7). Rep. Garrett introduced an amendment to eliminate funding, and Rep. Walberg offered an amendment to reduce funding by $20 million. The House of Representatives began debate today to finalize the FY11 spending bills, and these amendments offered are in addition to the $22.5 million cut already recommended by the House Appropriations Committee.
These amendments may be voted on as early as today, Tuesday, February 15th. Call your Representative RIGHT AWAY and urge a NO vote on these harmful amendments. To reach your Representative, call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Representative's office.
Make sure to ask your Representative to speak up on the House floor in support of the NEA. Vocal support by House members is critical as these amendments are debated.
Also, by clicking Take Action below, a pre-addressed email to your Representative will be ready for you to customize and send urging a NO vote on these amendments.
Take Action
Send a letter to the following decision maker:
Your Representative
Below is a sample letter:
Subject: Vote NO on Harmful Amendments to the NEA
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
As your constituent and a performing arts advocate, I am writing to urge a NO vote on amendments offered by Reps. Scott Garrett and Tim Walberg this week to eliminate and severely reduce funding to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Federal funding for the NEA provides access to the performing arts to communities across the country, and a show of support for the NEA by you and other members of Congress right now is extremely important in this current debate.
Direct NEA grants to performing arts organizations -- and NEA support allocated through state arts agencies -- create and keep jobs, widen citizen access to the cultural, educational, and economic benefits of the arts, and advance creativity and innovation in communities across the United States.
Supporting the NEA will ensure the agency continues to support arts organizations in all 435 congressional districts.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to your support.
Sincerely,
[Your name automatically inserted here]
These amendments may be voted on as early as today, Tuesday, February 15th. Call your Representative RIGHT AWAY and urge a NO vote on these harmful amendments. To reach your Representative, call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Representative's office.
Make sure to ask your Representative to speak up on the House floor in support of the NEA. Vocal support by House members is critical as these amendments are debated.
Also, by clicking Take Action below, a pre-addressed email to your Representative will be ready for you to customize and send urging a NO vote on these amendments.
Take Action
Send a letter to the following decision maker:
Your Representative
Below is a sample letter:
Subject: Vote NO on Harmful Amendments to the NEA
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
As your constituent and a performing arts advocate, I am writing to urge a NO vote on amendments offered by Reps. Scott Garrett and Tim Walberg this week to eliminate and severely reduce funding to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Federal funding for the NEA provides access to the performing arts to communities across the country, and a show of support for the NEA by you and other members of Congress right now is extremely important in this current debate.
Direct NEA grants to performing arts organizations -- and NEA support allocated through state arts agencies -- create and keep jobs, widen citizen access to the cultural, educational, and economic benefits of the arts, and advance creativity and innovation in communities across the United States.
Supporting the NEA will ensure the agency continues to support arts organizations in all 435 congressional districts.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to your support.
Sincerely,
[Your name automatically inserted here]
