From American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
Take Action: Funding Decisions Are Being Made Now. Urge Your Legislators to Support the Office of Museum Services (OMS) and Include a $20 Million Increase for Facilities Improvements!
In late September, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) to keep federal agencies funded at last year's levels through December 16. Congressional appropriators are making funding decisions now, which makes this a critical time for museum advocates to weigh in on a great opportunity to increase funding for museums. (Depending on the outcome of the November elections, we might be fighting funding cuts next year.)
The U.S. Senate draft fiscal year (FY) 2023 Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee Appropriations bill and associated explanatory statement released July 28, if passed by Congress, would provide a $33,800,000 increase for IMLS overall, maintaining much of the previously reported OMS increases proposed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Most notably, the legislation would include a $20 million funding increase for improving museum and library facilities, according to the explanatory statement noted in our September Alliance Advocacy Alert.
AAM survey results underscore the need: Nearly forty percent of responding museums plan to make investments into their building, HVAC equipment, and other infrastructure to improve energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of their operations. Funding negotiations have begun and now is the time to advocate for a much needed funding increase for OMS and secure a new funding resource for museum facilities.
What Can I Do? Now is a critical time to make sure your Representative and Senators know how much their support of this funding matters to constituents like you. We urge you to take a moment right now, using our quick and easy template, to contact Congress in support of OMS and new facilities funding at IMLS. While AAM continues to communicate with Congressional offices, it's critical that your legislators hear directly from constituents like you about this important funding. If you contacted your legislators already but have yet to hear back, please send another message. Reaching out again can help make sure your voice is heard.
