Investing in Indiana 
Straight Talk: Earmarks and the Federal Funding Process

Each year, I receive numerous requests for assistance obtaining federal funds from towns, cities, counties, universities, non-profit organizations and others throughout the 8^th District. I am proud to represent these organizations and communities and to work for federal investment in many of their worthwhile projects.

I understand the public's dislike for the federal funding process. Washington had been operating under a cloak of secrecy for decades. Some members abused the funding process; violating the public's trust under cover of darkness with anonymous earmarks often inserted at the last minute and last stage of the process. It's no surprise that with zero public scrutiny, wasteful spending ballooned in past Congresses, costing taxpayers billions of dollars.

That's why one of the first votes I took in Congress was to enact sweeping reform to the federal funding process. All projects are reviewed by the Congressional Appropriations Committees and federal agencies before they are included in any funding bill. And as a result of these reforms, for the first time in history, taxpayers can see each project slated to receive federal tax dollars beside the name of the Member of Congress who requested the funding, before their consideration by the House. 

Additional reforms have recently been implemented requiring members to post all project requests on their websites at the time of the request. And for-profit entities will be required to undergo a competitive bidding process to receive earmarked funds.  

That's not to say the system is perfect. While we have made significant reforms, Congress has more work to do to reduce federal spending, and I will do what is in my power to help.  However, Hoosiers play by the rules and pay their taxes, so it's only fair they receive some of the benefit of their tax dollars.

If federal investment is available and I'm not fighting for the 8^th District's share, who will? Decisions would be left up to bureaucrats who don't even know where Loogootee or Brazil or Williamsport are. Therefore, I will continue to work for federal investment in worthwhile projects that bring jobs, provide economic development, and improve infrastructure in 8^th District communities.

I understand the federal funding process can be confusing, so this page is designed to provide the information you need to better understand this complicated process. Here you can review 8^th District projects submitted for federal funding, follow the federal funding process step-by-step, and learn about common myths in the federal funding process. 
 

FY 2010 8th District Project Requests
Review the list of projects submitted to receive federal funding in fiscal year 2010 on behalf of 8th District towns, cities, counties, universities, non-profit organizations and others.

FY 2010 Defense Authorization Requests
Review the list of defense authorization priorities for fiscal year 2010. 

Transportation (SAFETEA-LU) Authorization Requests
Review the list of transportation authorization priorities for the upcoming SAFETEA-LU legislation.

Approved 8th District Projects
Review 8th District projects that have been approved for federal funding in fiscal year 2009, as well as previous fiscal years.

STEP-BY-STEP: The Federal Funding Process
Confused about the federal funding process? Learn more about it, step-by-step.

Important Terms
This page helps translate Washington jargon into plain English.

FACT CHECK: Common Myths about Earmarks and the Federal Funding Process
This page dispels some of the common myths about earmarks and the federal funding process.