Press/Journalists

Press Release nr98-103
Press Release · Thursday, June 18, 1998

Washington, DC

Press Release
June 18, 1998
House Panel Approved Budget Increase for National Archives and Records Administration

Washington, D.C. -- A Congressional committee has recommended a funding increase for the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

The House Appropriations Committee has approved $216,753,000 for NARA’s operating expenses in Fiscal Year 1999, plus $10,450,000 for facility repairs and restoration. Additionally, NARA is to receive $5,411,000 from a special fund for work converting computer programs to handle the change to the year 2000, and $6,000,000 for grants made by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), which NARA administers.

The package totals $238,614,000, which is $7,861,000 less than President Clinton’s request ($246,475,000), but is $13,297,000 more than NARA and the NHPRC received in appropriations for Fiscal Year 1998 ($225,317,000).

The increase would enable NARA to take additional steps toward preserving electronic records, improving Government records management, expanding public access to records, and re-encasing the nation’s Charters of Freedom (the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights on display in the National Archives rotunda in Washington, D.C.) Additionally there would be $500,000 more than in Fiscal Year 1998 for NHPRC grants for documentary preservation and dissemination.

The House is scheduled to act next week on the bill that contains appropriations for NARA and the NHPRC. Senate action is not yet scheduled on its corresponding appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 1999.

For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or by e-mail.

98-103

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