H.R.3488: To amend the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to limit the distribution of funds of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 10, 1993

Amends the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to prohibit use of National Endowment for the Arts funds to assist financially any project, production, workshop, or program that depicts or describes in a patently offensive way: (1) sexual or excretory activities or organs; or (2) religion or religious symbols.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Bachus, Spencer [R-AL-6] · R–AL

Committees

Education and Workforce Committee

51 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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

Dec 9, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Labor-Management Relations.
Nov 10, 1993
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Nov 10, 1993
Introduced in House
Nov 10, 1993
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in House · Nov 10, 1993 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3488 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

Discuss H.R.3488, 103rd Congress: To amend the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to limit the distribution of funds of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/3488

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-11-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr3488/BILLS-103hr3488ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-23T12:41:21Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.3488 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3488 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

Discuss H.R.3488, 103rd Congress: To amend the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to limit the distribution of funds of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/3488

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-11-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr3488/BILLS-103hr3488ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-23T12:41:21Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3488 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3488 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

Discuss H.R.3488, 103rd Congress: To amend the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to limit the distribution of funds of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/3488

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-11-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr3488/BILLS-103hr3488ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-23T12:41:21Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3488 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3488 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

Discuss H.R.3488, 103rd Congress: To amend the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to limit the distribution of funds of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/3488

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-11-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr3488/BILLS-103hr3488ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-23T12:41:21Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3488 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.