As Congress wraps up this Congressional Session, it faces two major tasks: to fund the federal government for the remainder of FY21 by passing an Omnibus spending bill before December 11th, and to pass additional much-needed and long overdue COVID-19 relief.
Earlier this year, the House approved an increase in the NEA's annual appropriation for FY21 to $170 million, while the Senate approved level funding at $162.25 million. Please take this opportunity to urge your elected officials to increase the NEA's funding to $170 million in the upcoming end-of-year Omnibus spending bill.
This week, the U.S. House and Senate are negotiating the final bills that will cross the finish line before the end of the year. COVID-19 proposals on the table include dedicated relief funding for the live performing arts through the Save Our Stages Act, Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loans, enhanced charitable giving incentives, extended pandemic unemployment benefits, and more. In these final days of deal-making, please take two minutes to make your strongest case and explain why COVID relief cannot be delayed and what is at stake the longer Congress goes without providing help.
Despite the never-ending feel to these conversations, please stay vigilant and engaged! As TCG amplifies your voice in Washington, D.C., no one's voice carries more weight than yours - the constituent.
By speaking up now, you'll be advocating alongside arts organizations nationwide, and also in collaboration with the broader nonprofit sector. Please don't stop sending messages to your elected officials! In the days to come it is urgent that you remind Congress why your theatre and your community need additional relief now!
Take Action Now!