1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

As a constituent, I am writing to urgently request that you support the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in the face of a direct attack by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Since April 1, DOGE has put dozens of the NEH’s staff on administrative leave, making it impossible for the agency to fulfill its statutory obligations. DOGE has also terminated more than 1200 grants to organizations and individuals throughout the United States—including operating support grants to humanities councils in every state, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. territories. These funds were appropriated by Congress for the states on a bipartisan basis and are used to support jobs and programming at the local level. At this moment, programs that support Veterans have been suspended and funding meant to support communities recovering from national disasters has been revoked. Individual’s salaries have been terminated. Throughout our country, community programs are on hold; teachers are losing access to professional development opportunities; college and university efforts to prepare students for careers have been halted; and organizations that preserve and provide access to our cultural heritage are imperiled. These funds have already been promised by the federal government, and grantees have made expenditures based on these promises. For many projects and organizations, these cancellations are an existential threat. Since April 1, DOGE has put dozens of the NEH’s staff on administrative leave, making it impossible for the agency to fulfill its statutory obligations. DOGE has also terminated more than 1200 grants to organizations and individuals throughout the United States—including operating support grants to humanities councils in every state, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. territories. The NEH is tasked by Congress with making the humanities accessible to all Americans, and Congress has appropriated funds for that purpose. As we look to the future, I ask that you make every effort to right these wrongs and ensure that the NEH continues to function, fulfilling its congressional mandate.