The annual congressional letters to the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Committees saw boosted support; the bipartisan House letter led by Congressional Arts Caucus co-Chairs Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Leonard Lance (R-NJ) received 134 signatures! Last year, the letter yielded 95 signatures. In the Senate, 29 Senators signed a similar letter led by Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM), three more signers than last year.

This increased showing of support will aid as the committees now write bills to fund the NEA, NEH, and other cultural agencies and programs. Bills are expected to be debated on the floor later this summer providing FY 2015 federal funding.