Trump's budget spares NEA and NEH with funding increases in bipartisan deal

A bipartisan spending bill set for passage by the US Congress this week will increase funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, both receiving $150 million for 2017. This represents a $2 million increase from the previous year. The deal emerged after President Trump's initial budget proposals targeted 19 independent federal offices for possible termination, including these cultural agencies. Trump's plan to redirect government spending toward defense faced widespread public criticism. The Institute of Museum and Library Services will also see its budget rise by $1 million, while the Corporation for Public Broadcasting maintains its current funding level. This agreement helps the federal government avoid a potential shutdown.