Amendment Excluding Museums Passes Senate, 73-24

During Senate consideration of the economic recovery legislation today, an amendment was passed prohibiting funds from going to museums, zoos, and aquariums. The amendment, offered by Sen. Tom Coburn (S. Amdt. No.309), states, "None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquariums, zoo, golf course, swimming pool, stadium,community park, museum, theater, art center and highway beautification project."

The amendment was adopted on a 73-24 vote. You can see how your Senators voted HERE.

Differences between the House and Senate versions of the economic stimulus legislation will have to be resolved in a House-Senate conference committee before the bill is submitted to the President.
"Congress needs to be reminded that museums are a vital part of our economy," said AAM President Ford W. Bell. "It's time for us to make our case and I am calling on all museums to send their Members of Congress an Economic Impact Statement showing the ways in which their museum contributes to the economy."

You can do this today by answering a few questions about your museum HERE. Many people do not realize that museums employ more than a quarter-million Americans, spend an estimated $14.5 billion annually,and rank among the top three family vacation destinations.