Gingrich Challenges Celebrities on Arts

Wealthy celebrities should support their fellow artists, as opposed to relying on the government to do so, House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said. Gingrich joined other conservative Republicans at a news conference at which they reiterated their goal of eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts. After pushing through deep budget cuts in recent years in the program, the GOP House members indicated that they hope to end it for the federal fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. President Clinton is requesting $136 million for the program.