GOP Appropriators Release Strict Earmark Guidances
This week, the House Committee on Appropriations released a Guidance for Community Project Funding, cracking down on earmarks in an effort that Republican lawmakers describe as “ensuring every Member of Congress has an opportunity to participate in the annual appropriations process.”
Here are some of the most notable guidance provisions:
Cap on Overall Funding: The total amount for Community Project Funding in House appropriations bills will not exceed one half of one percent of discretionary spending.
Federal Nexus Requirement: To ensure a federal nexus exists for each funded project, the Committee will only fund projects that are tied to a federal authorization law.
No Memorials, Museums, or Commemoratives: Memorials, museums, and commemoratives named for an individual or entity are not eligible for Community Project Funding.
Careful Vetting of Projects: Subcommittee chairs are encouraged to reject any project that does not merit federal taxpayer funding.
Ban on For-Profit Recipients: Project funding may not be directed to for-profit recipients. However, members may request funding for State, local, or tribal governmental grantees and certain eligible non-profits, as allowed under federal law and subcommittee guidance.
Cap on Member Requests: Members may submit a maximum of 15 requests across bills.
No Financial Interest: Members must publicly certify that they and their immediate family have no financial interest in the projects they request.
This guidance comes as Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, has already announced she will prevent earmarks in the Labor-HHS-Education, Financial Services, and Defense appropriations bills.
The Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus included $15.3 billion in earmarks, which accounted for around 0.9 percent of discretionary spending. If House Republicans can follow through on their pledge to cut FY 2024 appropriations, it is estimated that earmarked funds in House spending bills would be cut in half to about $7.4 billion.
In a statement following the Guidance for Community Project Funding release, Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) said she is "saddened" by the earmark preventions. “By excluding these subcommittees, they are decreasing opportunities for Members to help people in their districts to meet urgent needs directly,” she said.
But, while GOP appropriators are cutting back in several areas, the new guidance also expands earmark eligibility in certain places. For example, Republicans are now allowing rural water projects to qualify for Agriculture appropriations bill funding, provided they are in communities with a population of 10,000 or less and local recipients share 25 percent of the overall project cost. Additionally, the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development measure would open up port and rail infrastructure accounts to community project funds.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions on the Guidance for Community Project Funding. For more information, visit the House Committee on Appropriations website.