The House Appropriations Committee marked up the FY 2008 Interior and Related Agencies spending bill on June 7, approving the budget level recommended by the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee of $160 million for the National Endowment for the Humanities. This amount represents a $19 million increase over the President’s budget proposal and the FY 2007 enacted level, as specified in the draft Committee Report accompanying the bill.

NEH Funding by Program Area
FY 2008 House Committee Recommendation (v. FY 2007 Enacted)
In Thousands of Dollars

Federal/State Partnership – 36,000 (+5,074)
Preservation and Access – 19,000 (+632)
Public Programs – 12,500 (+119)
Research Programs – 13,000 (+308)
Education Programs – 13,000 (+734)
Program Development – 400 (+25)
“We the People” Initiative Grants – 23,000 (+7,761)
“Digital Humanities” Initiatives – 3,000 (+3,000)
Administration – 25,600 (+1,963)
Treasury Funds – 5,000 (-369)
Challenge Grants – 9,500 (-352)
TOTAL (+18,895)

The Committee also expressed support for the agency’s “We the People” and “Digital Humanities” initiatives, having added substantial funding for both these programs. Within the $7.76 million increase recommended for “We the People”, the Committee urges the agency to give highest priority to expansion of its new “Picturing America” program into a nationwide effort.

The Interior bill may move to the House floor for a vote next week. The Senate Appropriations Committee has not yet begun action on its version of the bill.