The American Alliance of Museums is using the Democrats' victories in the 2026 midterm elections to press the incoming Congress for more federal money and a set of policy changes, ARTnews reported on 10 November. In a statement issued after the elections, the alliance said it looked forward to working with the new Congress to increase funding and advance measures that help museums serve their communities.

The alliance's requests include increased funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, money for the agencies that support museums — including the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Science Foundation — and an end to the House Appropriations ban that bars museums from earmark funding. It also wants to expand the bipartisan Congressional Museum Caucus, created in early 2025 and co-chaired by Representatives Paul Tonko and Mike Turner.

The pitch lands after a bruising period for the sector. Since President Donald Trump returned to office, his administration has cut federal funding for the NEA and NEH, moved to remake the Kennedy Center in Washington, and directed executive orders, attempted firings and investigations at the Smithsonian Institution. In July the White House published a 162-page report alleging "ideological capture" at the National Museum of American History.

The alliance, which represents more than 35,000 museum professionals and volunteers, plans to brief its members on the election outcome in a webinar on 2 December, and registration is open for its Museums Advocacy Day in Washington on 22-23 February 2027.