The Trump administration’s latest budget proposal reportedly suggests eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of a broader effort to reduce federal spending and streamline government operations.
These agencies are included in a section of the budget aimed at phasing out smaller federal offices, reflecting an ongoing commitment to limit government size.
The administration’s plan reiterates previous proposals to cut these endowments, which have consistently faced opposition in Congress.
The budget document states, “The Budget includes the elimination of Federal funding for the following small agencies… to enhance accountability, reduce waste, and eliminate unnecessary governmental entities.”
In addition to the NEA and NEH, the proposed budget also seeks funding reductions for several other organizations, including the 400 Years of African American History Commission and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
The administration is targeting over $160 billion in cuts to non-defense spending, focusing on programs deemed to promote ideologies contrary to American values.
Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought emphasized that these cuts aim to dismantle funding for “niche non-governmental organizations and academic institutions” that he believes support agendas harmful to the country.
Vought argued that many services currently provided by the federal government could be better managed by state or local authorities.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins criticized the proposal as out of touch and raised serious objections to its key elements, reminding that Congress holds the power of the purse. The NEA and NEH have yet to respond to the proposed cuts.
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