17-05-2025
DOGE cuts to humanities threaten Tri-Cities cultural programs and democracy
In a matter of weeks, more than $10 million in grants for Washington state's cultural communities has vanished.
In early April, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) was gutted by DOGE, grants to museums and libraries were canceled, and National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) project grants were rescinded.
Organizations affected include Humanities Washington, a nonprofit that presents and funds cultural programs in Benton and Franklin counties and across the state at museums, libraries, schools, senior centers, historical societies, and more.
Here in the Tri-Cities, these cuts would mean the end of Prime Time Family Reading — a program that helps children with reading by involving their families — at the Pasco and Kennewick libraries.
It also means the end of invaluable speakers bureau events at the Richland Public Library, East Benton County Historical Society, Columbia Basin College and more places.
These free talks bring neighbors together, in-person, to listen to a talk and discuss current issues — an antidote to our polarized online world.
Most troubling of all?
These cuts are unconstitutional. Congress appropriated funds for the NEH with bipartisan support, making this not only an attack on the cultural sector but an attack on democracy, checks and balances, and Congress's power of the purse.
The impacts for the Tri-Cities are very real, and the time is now to speak up and take action. No matter your political views or other beliefs, the humanities are the bedrock of a healthy democracy.
The humanities preserve and explore our history and help us better understand each other, acting as a bulwark against the rampant polarization affecting American society.
The founders of the United States built our country on the humanities, gleaning lessons from history, philosophy, and literature to create our Constitution.
Cutting this cultural funding ignores the foundational role they have played in shaping America's values since its creation, and puts our freedom to learn and express ourselves at serious risk.
Further, the percentage of funding taken by the cultural sector is minuscule. The average American pays roughly 60 cents a year for NEH services that enhance the quality of life in communities here and across the U.S., and generate a large economic return and local jobs.
This is less than the cost of a postage stamp. And the idea that this makes any kind of a dent in the federal budget is absurd. In fact, the NEH budget is so small, lists the NEH as '0.0 percent of the federal budget.'
As a board member of Humanities Washington, I know firsthand that defunding the NEH and Humanities Washington won't improve our nation's economic standing. On the contrary, it will devastate a critical economic and educational sector and will have a major impact on the quality of life in our region.
Unfortunately, the struggle continues. President Trump's current budget request to Congress zeroes out funding for cultural programs. This has happened before, but Congress creates the national budget and it is imperative they know how valuable these programs are to all of us in the Tri-City area.
All of these cuts rip the fabric of our cultural life, and public outcry is vital to ensuring this funding is restored for the benefit of people in local communities.
We urge people to reach out to Congressman Newhouse, Senator Murray, and Senator Cantwell, requesting that federal funding to the NEH be reinstated and continued.
Congress should reclaim its power of the purse and restore the funding it appropriated, keeping our state's cultural sector thriving.
Brianna Hoffman is a member of the Humanities Washington board of trustees and a Kennewick resident.
