As of this writing a great deal else about this issue remains unresolved. Balancing the budget, as pledged repeatedly by this Congress and the President, requires us to prioritize how we spend American families' hard-earned tax dollars. The President has requested a 40 percent increase in funding for the NEA, and less than a 2 percent increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health. This request simply does not reflect the priorities of the American people or of this Congress. It would be fiscally irresponsible to continue this program, which robs from the poor to entertain the rich, when other programs have a much greater claim to both need and effectiveness.
Arts are a valuable part of our culture and are often worthy recipients of private support.
Since NEA funding is a mere one percent of arts funding nationwide, I'm confident that you and your staff can encourage private patrons to more than replace government funding. Americans are cheerful givers. In an era of fiscal responsibility, it is incumbent upon all of us to stop looking to the taxpayer, and look instead to those who can afford to give.