WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) sent a letter to the National Endowment for the Humanities calling for full funding of state-led America 250 programs, urging reforms to cut bureaucracy, and stressing that all grants should reflect the patriotic spirit of President Trump’s executive order honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Read more about the letter here.
Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “Patriotism is vital to protecting our national security and preserving American culture. I’m excited for America’s upcoming 250th birthday and there’s no one better than President Trump to lead the celebrations.”
Click here to see the full letter or see text below:
“Dear Acting Chairman McDonald:
“The commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is an important moment in the life of our nation. I would like to express my support for the National Endowment for the Humanities’ (NEH) grants to state humanities councils that fund next year’s America 250 celebration. Citizens, patriotic organizations, local governments, and states have already been organizing America 250 for over a year, and it is important to maintain funding commitments that have already been made.
“I strongly support reforming NEH and believe this can be accomplished while maintaining these grants. One way to reduce staffing and administrative overhead at NEH is by converting individual, competitive grants to larger block grants to states. I commend you for reviewing ongoing and prospective grants to eliminate woke, divisive, anti-American programming. All grants associated with America 250 should be in accordance with President Trump’s January 29, 2025, executive order, “Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday.”
“These measures are consistent with supporting state humanities councils and America 250, and I urge you to review their implementation to make sure they bolster rather than undermine the celebration. Even if it is necessary to pause or restructure existing funding commitments, they should be fully disbursed as soon as possible.
“Organizing America 250 is a monumental effort, and close coordination between the Semiquincentennial Commission, the White House’s Task Force 250, NEH, and other federal agencies is crucial. The federal government must enable the volunteers, students, members of patriotic organizations, and citizens who are working all over the country to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
“Thank you for your attention to this important matter. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my staff.”