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The political landscape in Washington, DC continues to evolve daily. Chorus America needs to hear from you: How are the federal government’s actions affecting your work? All stories of specific impact are welcome. Please share your experience here. Thank you to those members who have already shared their stories with us.
Visit our Government Affairs Resource Page for more tools.
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These government affairs updates are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice. Nonprofit arts organizations should consult with legal counsel for guidance specific to their circumstances.
ACTION 1: Ask Congress to Fund the NEA in FY27 at $213M
The FY27 Appropriations process has begun! As the various appropriations subcommittees begin their work, now is the time to make sure those committee members hear from arts advocates.
Reps. Bonamici (D-OR-1), Salazar (R-FL-27), Cleaver (D-MO-5), and Turner (R-OH-10), are circulating a bi-partisan “Dear Colleague” letter urging their peers in the House Appropriations Interior Subcommittee to provide at least $213 million for the National Endowment for the Arts in FY2027.
👉 Take action here and ask your member of Congress to sign on by Friday, March 20!
ACTION 2: Ask Congress to Protect Federal Grantees and Their Communities!
The General Services Administration’s (GSA) is proposing changes to the System Award Management (SAM) which would create significant legal and financial risks to nonprofit grantees, according to the National Council of Nonprofits. For more information, read the proposed changes and supporting materials.
👉 Email your member of Congress and urge them to help protect nonprofit grantees and the communities they serve.
ACTION 3: Urge Congress to Fix Artist Visa Delays
Reps. Fernandez (D-NM-03) and Salazar (R-FL-27) are circulating a “Dear Colleague” letter urging their fellow Members of Congress in the Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee to instruct USCIS to fix the artist visa processing delays.
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, artist visa processing has been significantly delayed – frequently taking 10 months or more. These delays force U.S. arts organizations to pay the roughly $3,000 premium processing fee to expedite the review. In some cases, the painfully slow artist visa process results in cancelled shows and tours, leading to lost revenue for U.S. arts employers and local economies.
👉 Take action here.
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Amy Fitterer is a dynamic leader in association management, government affairs, and the performing arts. She has consulted for OPERA America and Partners in Performance, supporting advocacy and strategic planning efforts. As Executive Director of Dance/USA (2011–2020), she led its transformation into a more equitable and financially strong organization, launching initiatives like Dance/USA Fellowships to Artists. Previously, she directed government affairs for OPERA America and Dance/USA, successfully advocating for arts funding and policy improvements. A former ballet dancer and pianist, Amy holds degrees from Indiana University and Columbia University. She lives in northern Virginia with her family and enjoys dance, music, and fitness.
