American Stories Act

Summary

Amends the statutory functions of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to explicitly allow grant support for projects, productions, and workshops delivered through film, radio, video, and similar media that aim to broaden public understanding of civics and the U.S. Constitution. The change expands the list of permissible purposes for NEA and NEH grants and contracts but does not itself appropriate new funds or create new grant programs.

• Adds explicit authorization for NEA and NEH to support film, radio, video, and similar media projects that broaden public understanding of civics and the U.S. Constitution.
• Modifies the statutory list of permissible agency functions; makes minor editorial renumbering and punctuation changes.
• Does not appropriate funds or create a new separate grant program — it expands allowed purposes under existing grant authority.
• Applies to the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities equally.
• Eligible applicants under existing NEA/NEH processes (nonprofits, cultural institutions, educational organizations, media producers) could seek grants for civic/Constitution-focused media.
• Any funding remains subject to agency priorities, existing application and review processes, and congressional appropriations.
• Does not impose requirements or costs on state or local governments or create new mandates.
• Could prompt debate over content boundaries between civic education and political advocacy, though grant rules guide selection and use of funds.