Letter to Barack Obama, President of the United States - Appointee's Actions at the National Endowment for the Arts

Letter

U.S. Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) today sent a letter to President Barack Obama expressing his concern over the actions of a political appointee at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) hosting a conference call asking for artists to support President Obama's political agenda.

"How many other appointees across the executive branch are making unauthorized, unapproved decisions and why isn't there sufficient oversight and accountability? This flap at the National Endowment for the Arts isn't the first time the accountability of a political appointee has come under fire," said Congressman Tiberi. "As a musician and an ex-officio member of the National Council on the Arts, the advising body for the Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, I am very concerned. I think it is essential that the operations of the NEA remain nonpartisan, and artists are able to produce their work free of a forced political agenda. The abuse of power by one individual, hosting the call is worrisome."

The conference call was held August 10, 2009 and hosted by then-NEA Communications Director Yosi Sergant who said the call was the beginning of an effort to "bring this [artist] community together to speak with the government."

The complete text of the letter follows:

September 22, 2009

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

As a Member of Congress and an ex-officio member of the National Council on the Arts, I am writing to express my outrage over the August 10, 2009 call involving the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). After reading a transcript of the call, I think the message being sent to the participants was clear. In my nine years as a Member of Congress, I have never seen a time when the NEA has been used to push a political agenda as explicitly as I believe it was in this instance.

As a musician and an individual whose life has been shaped in large part by music, I think it is essential that the operations of the NEA remain nonpartisan. All individuals deserve the freedom to produce their works free of political influence and without favoritism from the government.

The arts have been a huge influence and positive aspect in my life and I want to be sure that the same opportunity exists for future artists, regardless of their political views. Artists have enough issues to worry about, especially when trying to make a living during a recession. They should be able to focus on their work and not need to worry about politics and being lobbied to take their art in a certain direction.

I have been a supporter of the NEA for many reasons, one of them being the structure of the peer review boards. As I am sure you know, the NEA allows experts in the art field to create a committee, free of government regulation, to determine what projects should be awarded grant funding. I think this is a sound process. Unfortunately, this incident may have done immense damage to the image of the NEA and the perception people have about its activities.

I understand, based on news reports I read yesterday afternoon, that the White House has committed to taking "specific steps" to make sure this type of activity does not happen again within executive branch agencies. I am not convinced that a memo and a couple of meetings fully address the seriousness of this issue.

NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman has stated that Yosi Sergant acted unilaterally and without approval or authorization. This is very troubling to me. Are there other, similar outreach efforts being orchestrated by political appointees at the NEA, the Corporation for National and Community Service or United We Serve? How many other appointees across the executive branch are making unauthorized, unapproved decisions and why isn't there sufficient oversight and accountability? Is it typical for employees in the White House Office of Public Engagement to thank people they are communicating with for their involvement in political campaigns?

This is not the first time that the accountability of political appointees in your administration has come under fire. The American people deserve a full, honest and open account.

Sincerely,

Patrick J. Tiberi
Representative to Congress

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