Issa Announces FY 2009 Appropriations Project Requests

Press Release

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), today released a list of his FY 2009 project funding requests. FY 2009 is the third consecutive year Rep. Issa has disclosed on his website all appropriations projects requests. Rep. Issa began these disclosures before the House of Representatives adopted additional disclosure requirements for projects in bills and his level of disclosure exceeds the requirements of House Rules.

"These requests for funding address critical infrastructure and safety needs within our community," said Rep. Issa. "Despite the fact that House rules don't require this disclosure, I have chosen to make public all of my project requests so that my constituents can see for themselves the local projects I have forwarded for funding consideration. I have and will continue to urge my colleagues to make a disclosure of their requests as well."

In addition to these project requests, Rep. Issa has also asked the House Appropriations Committee to consider increasing money for key federal programs including funds to pay for additional U.S. Attorneys to focus on border crimes, the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) and a new federal courthouse for San Diego.

Rep. Issa, in January, announced new more stringent guidelines for entities seeking Federal funds through his office. Under the policy change, Rep. Issa did not make Fiscal Year 2009 appropriations requests on behalf of for-profit entities. In addition, local governments and non-profits were asked to have their councils or boards approve requests in a public meeting.

According to Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 of the U.S. Constitution, "No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law." Every year, Congress approves a budget that outlines federal spending. After Congress agrees to this budget outline, the House Appropriations committee then moves forward in deciding what and how much should be allocated for specific programs, agencies, and other federal needs.

As a part of this process, the House Appropriations Committee asks all Members of the House to submit, for consideration by the Committee, the requests they feel may be important for their district, state, and the United States.

The appropriations process is a multi-step approach, by which the Congress evaluates the merits of requests for funding. Only a small fraction of project requests the Appropriations Committee receives from Members will be funded. Gaining the support of a Member of Congress to ask for consideration for a specific funding request is an important first step in the appropriations process but does not guarantee any level of funding.

Every year, Congressman Issa works as an advocate for requests from local governments, agencies, schools, and others that have relevance to the work of the federal government and that he believes have an opportunity to win federal funding support. Competition for federal funding is fierce and Congressman Issa works to help those in the 49th District and California make the best possible case for why their project should have federal support.

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