Defend the National Endowment for the Humanities
Tell Congress to protect independent peer review, reverse mass grant cancellations, and reject political interference at the NEH.
The National Endowment for the Humanities has long been protected by a nonpartisan peer review process that shields scholarship and public history work from political pressure. Recent mass grant cancellations and efforts to install partisan leadership threaten that independence and the communities whose stories these grants support.
How to use this letter
- Use the links below to look up your U.S. Representative and your two U.S. Senators.
- Open each office’s email webform or note their mailing address and phone number.
- Copy the template letter from the box below and paste it into the webform or your own email program. Personalize at least one paragraph with your service background, profession, or community ties.
- Submit the message, then call their Washington office using the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224‑3121 to reinforce your position.
Tip: When you personalize the letter, keep the core asks and bill/agency names unchanged so staffers can accurately log your position.
Find your members of Congress
- Find your U.S. Representative on the official House site: house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
- Find contact information for your U.S. Senators on the official Senate site: senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
- Look up federal, state, and local elected officials via USAGov’s tool: usa.gov/elected-officials
If any link is unavailable, search your state name plus “contact U.S. Senator” or “find my representative” to reach the latest official directory.
Copy‑and‑paste template letter
To copy the letter: click anywhere inside the box above, press Ctrl+A then Ctrl+C (or ⌘A then ⌘C on Mac), then paste it into your member’s contact form or email.
Quick phone script (for when you call (202) 224‑3121 and ask for your Senator or Representative):
Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I’m a constituent from [CITY, STATE]. I’m also a U.S. military veteran.
I’m calling to urge [Senator/Representative] [LAST NAME] to oppose Michael McDonald’s confirmation as permanent chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities and to support hearings on the recent mass cancellations of NEH grants.
The NEH must remain independent, with decisions based on transparent, expert peer review – not partisan political pressure. I’m asking the Senator/Representative to speak out publicly, restore any grants that were inappropriately cancelled, and defend the agency’s integrity.
Can you please let me know the Senator’s/Representative’s position on this?
