As a campaign promise in the 2024 presidential election, President Trump declared he would eliminate the Department of Education. While this requires an act of Congress, President Trump has used unilateral executive actions to dismantle the Department and severely limit its ability to function.

On October 1, 2025, the federal government shut down after Congress failed to pass appropriations bills or a continuing resolution (CR). Even during a shutdown, Congress can still consider legislation—including funding for the arts.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) remain at risk.

• The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $207 million each for NEA and NEH in FY26.

• The House Appropriations Committee approved only $135 million, a 35% cut to both agencies.

• Additional amendments could slash funding further—or eliminate it.

Why this matters for New...

Museums strengthen communities, drive local economies, and provide lifelong learning opportunities. Yet Congress is considering drastic cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Office of Museum Services (OMS) that would severely impact these institutions.

The House Appropriations Committee has advanced a bill that would slash OMS funding by $9.3 million, eliminating National Leadership Grants for Museums and critical research programs like the National Museum Survey—the first-ever federal snapshot of the museum sector. These programs support innovation and data-driven decision-making across the field.

We must also...