Advocacy Alert – February 11, 2026

In this Alliance Advocacy Alert:

• Huge Win: IMLS, NEA, NEH Funding Bills Signed Into Law
• Court Case Update: Administration Appeals Court Ruling on IMLS
• Advocate from Anywhere: Supporting Museums Advocacy Day from Home
• Advocacy Tip of the Month: Thank You Can Go a Long Way

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IMLS, NEA, NEH Funding Bills Signed Into Law

Huge win for museums! Congress has passed, and the President has signed into law, the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Appropriations Bills funding the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), National Endowment of the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), National Park Service (NPS), and the science agencies that provide STEM funding to museums. Most of these agencies received the same funding as the previous year or a minor decrease, despite the President’s Budget Request to significantly reduce or eliminate some of these agencies and programs.

These successes are all thanks to our collective advocacy efforts—all of your letters, phone calls, and Congressional meetings. Your outreach showed your representatives that their constituents value the museums in their communities. Please take a minute to send a thank you note to your members of Congress for their support of museum funding.

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Administration Appeals Court Ruling on IMLS

The Administration recently filed an appeal against the November 21, 2025, permanent injunction ruling (see ruling recap below). The permanent injunction will stay in place until the court considers the Administration’s appeal.

Recap of Ruling:

On November 21, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island granted a permanent injunction in Rhode Island vs Trump stating attempts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) were unlawful, unconstitutional, and in direct violation of Congress’s clear statutory directives. The injunction prevents the Administration from further carrying out the Executive Order relating to IMLS and vacates the Administration’s actions.

The Administration complied with the ruling and has reinstated the terminated grants.

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Advocate from Anywhere: Supporting Museums Advocacy Day from Home

This Museums Advocacy Day, back up your colleagues on Capitol Hill by advocating from home! We will be sending out a Special Edition Advocacy Alert during Museums Advocacy Day with information on how you can help advocate from where you are. The alert will go out on February 23, so keep your eye out for it.

In the meantime, we encourage you to check out some of our previous Advocacy Training webinars:

• Advocacy 101: Getting to know the basics (September 24, 2025)
• Year-Round Advocacy: Being An Effective Advocate (July 24, 2025)
• In-District Advocacy: Advocating to State and Federal Lawmakers (May 29, 2025)

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Advocacy Tip of the Month: Thank You Can Go a Long Way

Whenever you are meeting with your lawmakers or their staff, it is a good idea to start off the meeting with a simple thank you, even if it is for something small. People are more likely to listen and take in your message if you come across as friendly, even when they don’t agree with your position. And always thank them for their time. While meeting with constituents is part of their job, a genuine “thank you” can help lower barriers and set a more productive tone.