On Monday, July 25th, the National Humanities Alliance (NHA) issued an urgent alert that an amendment had been offered in the U.S. House of Representatives to eliminate the total funding for both the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts (and other programs). While the amendment failed by voice vote, the NHA warns, additional amendments to the bill in question (the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies spending bill H.R. 2584) may be offered during the week. (See NHA follow-up alert.)

Jessica Jones Irons, Executive Director of the NHA, issued the following action call for supporters of the humanities in the U.S.:

If you have not already done so, please email your Representative and ask him/her to:

• Oppose any amendments to eliminate or further cut NEH funding in the FY12 Interior bill (H.R. 2584)
• Speak on the floor in support of the humanities and the benefits that NEH provides your community

If you would prefer to call the office directly, you can do so through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. (See alerts on the NHA site: July 25, July 27)