Rep. Howard Berman introduced The ARTS (Arts Require Timely Service) Act (HR 1312)
Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA-28) introduced The ARTS (Arts Require Timely Service) Act (HR 1312), which would require O and P visa processing within 45 days. This legislation would address the delays and unpredictability currently suffered by nonprofit performing arts organizations pursuing artist visas. The bill is co-sponsored by 4 Democrats [Reps. Berman, Weiner (D-NY-9), Nadler (D-NY-8), and Schiff (D-CA-29)] and 4 Republicans [Reps. Blackburn (R-TN-7), Coble (R-NC-6), Chabot (R-OH-1), and Lungren (R-CA-3)]. The bill is similar to the provision approved by the Senate last year as part of the comprehensive immigration reform bill.
U.S. Senate includes Performing Arts Facilities in FEMA Statute
Language to amend the FEMA statute that would make performing arts facilities eligible to receive FEMA funds was included in the “Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006” which passed the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Thursday, July 27th. This is the Senate version of the Stafford Act amendment bill, which is the law that gives FEMA the authority, based upon the declaration of a disaster by the President, to use federal funds to provide assistance to states and local communities. Our language was championed by Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-RI).
While this is an important step in this process, we still have a long way to go as the US House bill appears to be stalled. That being said, the arts community was pleased that the U.S. Senate has acknowledged the need and the importance that our community be included in FEMA disaster relief.
U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Level Funding for NEA
On June 29, 2006, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved level funding for the NEA, $124.4 million, as previously approved by the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior. The Interior Appropriations bill that contains the funding level for the NEA will now move to the floor of the U.S. Senate to be voted on by the entire U.S. Senate.
U.S. House Appropriations Committee Zeroes Out Arts in Education Funding
On June 13, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee voted to eliminate funding for the Department of Education's Arts in Education programs as previously approved by the House Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations.
First Step Toward O & P Visa Reform Passes U.S. Senate
On May 25, the U.S. Senate approved an amendment in the comprehensive Immigration bill that would reduce the current processing times for O and P arts-related visa petitions to a maximum of 45 days. The amendment forces U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to treat any arts-related O and P visa petition that it fails to adjudicate within 30 days as a Premium Processing case, without the usual additional charge of $1,000 per petition. The amendment was introduced by Senator Kerry (D-MA) and was supported by some familiar allies to our community. Among the members of Congress of note that had a hand in this victory were Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA), Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Immigration Subcommittee Ranking Member Edward Kennedy (D-MA).
The next step for the legislation will be to successfully pass the House and Senate conference committee that will be scheduled shortly. While Arts Presenters and our colleagues will be working diligently to try and pass this amendment through conference, it should be noted that this amendment is part of the controversial Immigration bill, which could suffer setbacks in passage in its current form this year. Regardless, this recent victory in the Senate demonstrates a renewed desire of Congress to support our field and recognizes the devastating impact these delays are having to our field and strengthens our position on Capitol Hill moving forward.
U.S. House Approves $5 Million Increase for NEA
On May 18, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment to increase funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) by $5 million. The amendment, sponsored by Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Christopher Shays (R-CT), Norm Dicks (D-WA), Jim Leach (R-IA) and David Price (D-NC), passed by voice vote and was part of the passage of the FY 2007 Interior Appropriations bill (H.R. 5386). Following the amendment to increase the NEA budget, Rep. Beauprez (R-CO) offered an amendment to decrease the NEA budget by $30 million, which failed by a vote of 112-306.
House Appropriations Committee Approves Level Funding for NEA
On May 10, the full House Appropriations Committee approved a FY 2007 Interior spending bill that includes no increase for the NEA. The committee opted to keep funding at the FY 2006 level of $124.4 million. On May 4, this same funding level was approved by the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee.
The House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Rep. Taylor (R-NC) and Ranking Member Rep. Dicks (D-WA) received a letter from Congressional Arts Caucus co-chairs Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Christopher Shays (R-CT) with 122 members of Congress in support of a NEA budget of $170 million. A total appropriation of $170 million would nearly restore the agency to the FY 1992 high water mark of $176 million.
President Bush Releases Budget for FY 2007
On Feb. 6, President Bush released his FY 2007 budget package, which requested $124.4 million or level funding from FY 2006 for the NEA. In a repeat of previous year budget requests, the president's budget has once again eliminated funding for the Department of Education's Arts in Education programs. Over the next few months, Arts Presenters along with the American Arts Alliance will be advocating for increases to funding for the NEA and the restoration of the Arts in Education programs.
To read what happened in the previous first session of the 109th Congress, click here
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