An amendment to increase funds for the National Endowment for the Arts by $10 million has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The amendment raises the proposed budget from $121,264,000 to $131,264,000 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006. The new funding is designated for the Challenge America program and the total FY 2006 budget also includes $8 million for the American Masterpieces grant program. The amendment, offered by Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Christopher Shays (R-CT), Norm Dicks (D-WA), James Leach (R-IA), and David Price (D-NC,) includes a $5 million increase for the National Endowment for the Humanities. The vote to approve the amendment was taken as a voice vote rather than as the more customary roll call vote. This was seen to be indicative of widespread support for the amendment. NEA Chairman Dana Gioia said, "We're proud that members of the House demonstrated such strong bi-partisan support for the value and mission of the Arts Endowment by enthusiastically passing this amendment with a voice vote. Even those who opposed the amendment did so on fiscal grounds and voiced appreciation for the quality and reach of our programs." The appropriation process now moves to the Senate where subcommittee markup is scheduled for the week of June 6. It is expected that the bill will move to the Senate floor for a vote prior to the Fourth of July Congressional recess. For further information, CLICK HERE