On July 19, the House of Representatives approved a nominal increase in funding for museum programs and approximately $11 million in earmarks as part of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) FY 2008 budget. The measure included only $395,000 in new funds, far less than the $8 million increase requested in President Bush's budget earlier this year. The allocation of funds among the museum and library programs and the list of congressional earmarks is detailed in the House Appropriations Committee report, H. Rept. 110-231.

After two days of debate over amendments aimed primarily at eliminating individual earmarks and reducing spending, lawmakers in Congress passed the FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) bill, H.R. 3043, in a 276-140 vote, which is one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto. The president has threatened to veto any spending bill that exceeds the amount requested in his budget proposal.

The Senate is expected to deliberate on its FY 2008 Labor-HHS bill, S. 1710, sometime in September.  The Senate measure calls for an even smaller increase: only $89,000 in new funds for the Native American/Native Hawaiian museum program. Senate appropriators also approved more than $8 million in congressional earmarks for the IMLS budget, which are listed in their committee report, S. Rept. 110-107.

Differences in the House and Senate bills will need to be negotiated in a conference committee. There is already speculation on the potential for an omnibus appropriations bill that would include the Labor-HHS bill. A spending showdown between the White House and the Democratic leadership is expected as appropriators hope to finish spending legislation before the end of the federal fiscal year on Sept. 30.

AAM is seeking senators who would propose an amendment to increase funding for IMLS's museum program to the president's level. With Congress scheduled to adjourn for its recess on Aug. 3, museum advocates will have an opportunity to share their own concerns about funding for IMLS.—Eileen Goldspiel

[ return to top ]