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.

On June 7, the House Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal year (FY) 2008 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies bill that provides $27.6 billion in funding for the programs under its jurisdiction. This is a $1.2 billion increase over FY 2007 funding levels and $1.9 billion over the Bush administration’s request.

The bill provides $102 million for Historic Preservation programs at the National Park Service, a $30 million increase over FY 2007 funding levels, and $20 million more than the President’s request.

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 for the Smithsonian Institution.

The Smithsonian Institution’s operations budget would be frozen at the FY ’07 level. The Smithsonian would receive $536 million for operating costs, some $35 million less than the administration’s request for fiscal year 2008.

On June 7, the National Archives announced the discovery of a new Abraham Lincoln message written in President Lincoln’s own hand to Major General Henry Halleck. The message, which was found among the Adjutant General’s Records in the stacks at the National Archives Building, is dated July 7, 1863. It is part of a collection of “Generals’ Papers” which includes miscellaneous documents relating to Halleck. The note expresses Lincoln’s optimism that if General Meade could destroy Confederate General Lee’s army, the war would be over.

On June 5, the House Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government approved its fiscal year 2008 “Chairman’s Mark.”

The recommendation includes $315 million ($2.1 million above the President’s request, and $35.7 million above fiscal year 2007) for operating expenses of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

The recommendation also includes $10 million for the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), for grants to states, local governments, universities, local historical societies, and others to help preserve and archive materials of historic significance. The Administration had sought to eliminate the NHPRC.

On May 31, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced that 118 successful applicants will receive a total of $17.5 million in grants and offers of matching funds in the current award cycle. Seventy-nine of the successful grants announced are designated as We the People projects that advance the study, teaching, and understanding of American history and culture.

Scholars and institutions in 39 states and the District of Columbia received support from the NEH. A complete state-by-state listing of grants and offers is available at the NEH website.