PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.1557 / 104th Congress

Arts, Humanities, and Museum Services Amendments of 1995

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 81.

Official summary

Version 17 · Reported to House with amendment(s) · Jun 29, 1995

Arts, Humanities, and Museum Services Amendments of 1995 - Amends the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 (NFAHA) and the Museum Services Act to revise and reauthorize programs under them. Repeals NFAHA as of October 1, 1998. (Sec. 2) Declares that the encouragement and support of national progress and scholarship in the arts and the humanities is primarily a matter for private and local initiative. (Sec. 3) Revises NFAHA provisions for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to modify NEA authority. Eliminates a program of contracts, grants, or loans to artistic groups and individuals for certain projects and productions, with particular regard for traditionally underrepresented ones. (Sec. 4) Revises NFAHA provisions relating to the National Council on the Arts. (Sec. 5) Revises NFAHA provisions for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NHA) to modify NHA authority. Eliminates certain humanities assistance programs, including ones with regard to traditionally underrepresented scholars and institutions. Eliminates certain annual awards programs. (Sec. 6) Revises NFAHA provisions relating to the National Council on the Humanities. Declares that the NEH Chairperson has final authority to approve each application for financial assistance. (Sec. 7) Revises NFAHA administrative provisions. Prohibits panels from recommending approval of applications for assistance for artistic projects or productions determined to be obscene. (Sec. 8) Extends through FY 1998 the authorization of appropriations to carry out NFAHA, including funds for: (1) certain program grants and other assistance by the NEA and the NEH; (2) matching non-Federal funds received; and (3) administration of NEA and NEH programs. Sets limitations on total appropriations authorized for the NEA and the NEH. (Sec. 9) Amends the Museum Services Act (MSA) to extend through FY 1998 the authorization of appropriations, including funds for: (1) grants to museums to increase and improve services; and (2) functions of the Institute of Museum Services (which is within the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities). (Sec. 10) Revises NFAHA provisions for the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities to provide that one such Council member shall be designated by the Secretary of State (rather than by the Director of the U.S. Information Agency). Repeals MSA provisions for assessment of needs of small, emerging, minority, and rural museums. (Sec. 11) Repeals NFAHA as of October 1, 1998. (Sec. 12) Makes conforming amendments to various Federal laws to reflect the repeal of NFAHA.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Goodling, William F. [R-PA-19] · R–PA

Committees

  • Education and Workforce Committee
2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 81.

  2. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Economic and Educational. H. Rept. 104-170.

  3. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Economic and Educational. H. Rept. 104-170.

  4. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 2.

  5. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  6. Referred to the House Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities.

  7. Introduced in House

  8. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Jul 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1557 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.1557 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.1557 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1557 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources