The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has walked back its decision to furlough nearly 100 members of the symphony orchestra despite receiving a $25 million federal bailout, a move that prompted the affected musicians to file a lawsuit against the performing arts center. 
According to <a href="https://freebeacon.com/coronavirus/kennedy-center-strikes-deal-to-pay-orchestra/">The Washington Free Beacon</a>, the center has offered the musicians pay cuts and a wage freeze instead of furloughs, and the union representing the orchestra’s musicians has, in turn, decided to drop a lawsuit against the center for allegedly violating a contract, which prohibits layoffs without six weeks notice. 
As a result of the agreement, the Kennedy Center told the news agency that the organization will save $4 million and approximately $2.5 million in payroll through September 2020.
The decision to avoid musician furloughs comes a week after lawmakers moved to revoke the center’s $25 million bailout, calling the provision in the massive stimulus package “frivolous spending,” as <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lawmakers-move-to-rescind-stimulus-for-kennedy-center-after-musician-layoffs">The Daily Wire</a> previously reported. 
“Some in Washington felt it was important to spend $25 million of taxpayer dollars on the Kennedy Center when there are obviously bigger needs right now. This is frivolous spending in the midst of a national emergency. Coronavirus requires a serious and targeted response,” said Congressman Brian Steil (R-WI), who authored the legislation to revoke the bailout. 
“If an organization is receiving assistance from the federal government, we expect them to take care of their workers,” said House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), one of the bill’s 13 co-sponsors. “As we take further Congressional action to fight the Coronavirus’ devastating impact on families and our economy, I call on Speaker Pelosi to finally put the American people, not special interests, first.”
“While everybody else was working together, Republican and Democrat, with President Trump, who was solely focused on fighting for jobs for American families,” argued Scalise in an interview with <a href="https://twitter.com/RepBryanSteil/status/1244981696690257920">Fox News</a>. “Nancy Pelosi literally held the bill up for days to get her pet projects, including the money for the Kennedy Center.”
President Trump has supported the bailout, arguing that he “didn’t have a big problem with it” because the center has “tremendous deficits that are built up,” reports <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/27/why-kennedy-center-got-money-bailout-bill/">The Washington Post</a>. 
“I haven’t spent time there because I’m far too busy. I’d love to go there evenings, but I’m too busy doing things,” said Trump, according to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lawmakers-move-to-rescind-stimulus-for-kennedy-center-after-musician-layoffs">The Hill</a>. “The Kennedy Center, they do a beautiful job, an incredible job.”
In addition to the buzz over the stimulus bailout, an online rumor has been circulating that the Kennedy Center donated $5 million to the DNC. As <a href="https://checkyourfact.com/2020/04/06/fact-check-kennedy-center-donate-5-million-democratic-national-committee/">The Daily Caller</a> reports, the source of the original claim appears to be a viral tweet where the poster then clarified that the statement was intended as a “next-step hypothetical.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Kennedy Center Timeline:
Completes a $250 M renovation 
2019: Receives $41 M from taxpayers 
Yesterday: Gets $25 M from Relief Bill 
Today: Tells musicians it will stop paying them 
Donates $5 M to the DNC
The Kennedy Center launders taxpayer money for the Democrats.
— Cari Kelemen (@KelemenCari) <a href="https://twitter.com/KelemenCari/status/1243966035969085440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
To clarify, my original tweet should have said: 
*Tomorrow* donates $5 M to the DNC. 
It was meant as a next-step hypothetical based on the way the DNC has used Planned Parenthood to launder taxpayer money in the past. I did not intend to confuse anyone. Apologies if I did.
— Cari Kelemen (@KelemenCari) <a href="https://twitter.com/KelemenCari/status/1244360938754580481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
A spokesperson for the center told The Daily Caller that the center has made no donations to the DNC. The news agency reports that, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Kennedy Center is prohibited from making political donations. 

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Kennedy Center Agrees To Pay Orchestra After Lawmakers Move To Rescind Bailout

CONTINUE READING

American Reporter Arrested By Russia Charged With Spying

Inflation, Immigration Most Important Issues For GOP Primary Voters: Poll

WATCH: Good Samaritan Chases Fleeing Drunk Driver Who Killed Cop, Pins Him Down

Marianne Williamson Teases 2024 Biden Primary Rematch

ABC News Producer, 37, Died From Choking While Drunk, Medical Examiner Says

TV Journalist Arrested For ‘Disorderly Conduct’ At Train Derailment Press Conference

News and Commentary

COVID

Music

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— News and Commentary —

Kennedy Center Agrees To Pay Orchestra After Lawmakers Move To Rescind Bailout