Arizona opinion: Community Project Funding provides bang for the buck
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writers:
The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power of the purse. This power is exercised through the annual appropriations process, and the House Appropriations Committee leads the House's power of the purse efforts.
One of the more well-known elements of the annual appropriations process is Community Project Funding, also known as earmarks. Community projects are individual appropriations for specific projects that are requested by members of Congress through an open and public process. The requests are vetted by the House Appropriations Committee, and projects are funded through the annual appropriations bills.
Community Project Funding does not increase federal spending. Instead, the process allocates money that would be spent by federal agencies and uses it to address local needs.
Usually, federal spending for projects such as fire station upgrades, water infrastructure construction, and road improvements are allocated by the Executive Branch through centrally managed grant processes. However, Community Project Funding helps restore the Legislative Branch's power of the purse by empowering members — who are far more aware of local needs than Washington-based bureaucrats — to allocate funding to projects that will make significant impacts on their communities.
Areas of our country that are rapidly growing, from Northwest Arkansas to Southeast Arizona, can experience delays in substantial federal investment for large projects as federal funding is often targeted toward historically populated areas. Community Project Funding can help shift that paradigm. For example, a project included in this year's Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) bill will complete the Springdale Northern Bypass, unleashing economic opportunity for the region and beyond while prioritizing travelers' safety. In the Town of Oro Valley, this funding package secured an investment to repair and maintain bridges to increase safety and enhance mobility in this bustling community.
Smaller towns, which are often overlooked by the federal government, also see massive impacts from community projects. A $3 million investment for Huntsville, Arkansas' water system will provide water to residents and ensure the fire department has an adequate supply to protect people from fires. A $1.9 million investment for the Town of Duncan, Arizona, a rural community with less than 1,000 residents, to maintain and revitalize roads which have not been repaired in over 45 years. Without Community Project Funding, projects of this magnitude for small communities may be a pipe dream.
With our ballooning national debt, it's understandable that government spending is under scrutiny. As appropriators, protecting taxpayer dollars and reining in wasteful spending remains our top priority. To reiterate, Community Project Funding does not increase federal spending. Instead, the process allocates money that would be spent by federal agencies and instead uses it to address local needs. Discretionary spending accounts for 26% of total federal spending that is appropriated by Congress each year, and of that 26%, the House of Representatives only uses 0.5% for community projects.
Bottom line: Community Project Funding is a bang for the buck. The small, yet effective, amount of funding in the THUD bill for community projects delivers substantial impacts across the country. The projects allow legislators — who know the needs of their communities best — to target funds for critical projects to solve problems, create jobs, and boost the economy. We are sent to Washington, D.C., to deliver results that will have real impacts on the daily lives of Americans. There is no better avenue to do so than through Community Project Funding.
Juan Ciscomani represents Sixth Congressional District of Arizona and Steve Womack represents the Third Congressional District of Arkansas. Both serve on the House Appropriations Committee.
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