Funding Requests
Rep. Chaffetz has committed not to ask for an earmark until there is greater openness and transparency in the process. Furthermore, House Republicans voted not to ask for earmarks for FY 2011. However, some projects with an established federal nexus may qualify for other sources of federal funds. For example, Rep. Chaffetz will run freestanding bills if a project merits such consideration. These bills must go through the complete committee process, where they can be debated on their merits. See complete guidelines for obtaining federal funding requests below.
Obtaining Federal Funding for Your Project or Program
General Overview:
The Office of Congressman Jason Chaffetz (“The Office”) is committed to working with qualifying entities in pursuing federal funding for meritorious locally significant projects with a justifiable federal nexus. Federal funding for approved projects may come in one of three ways (or a combination thereof):
a) Stand-alone project or program authorization followed by federal funding;
b) Congressional support for projects or programs competing for discretionary grants before the granting agencies of the federal government; or
c) Congressionally-directed spending.
There are no absolutes when it comes to the federal funding process. Requesting entities should be modest in their requests for federal funding, keeping in mind the proper and limited role of the federal government. Funding for most projects will be sought using either option “a” or “b.”
Process for Obtaining a Stand-Alone Project or Program Authorization:
Qualifying entities may contact Congressman Chaffetz or his staff to explore/discuss/share their proposal or idea for a stand-alone project or program authorization at any point in the calendar year. These projects or programs must have a valid existing federal nexus (justification for spending federal dollars on a locally significant project or program). Once the proposed project or program has been thoroughly vetted by staff and the stakeholders, and if it meets the approval of Congressman Chaffetz, draft legislation in support of the authorization request will be prepared by House Legislative Counsel. Once the draft has been revised and approved by the various stakeholders, a stand-alone bill will be introduced. The Office will work with the stakeholders to obtain a subcommittee hearing, committee markup, and passage of the proposal during the session of Congress in which the bill is introduced. Federal funding for an authorized project or program will not be sought until after enactment of the bill. Given budgetary constraints, federal funding of authorized projects or programs is not guaranteed.
Process for Obtaining Consideration of a Grant Request:
The Office will accept grant requests throughout the year. The Office will work with the requesting entity by helping to conduct a grants search and providing resources to find grants. It is the obligation of the requesting entity to complete the grants application process once the grants search process is complete. The Office may write letters of support to the granting agency. Other options may include facilitating meaningful and appropriate contact between the requesting entity and granting agency to share the merits of the proposed project or program.
Process for Consideration of a Congressionally-directed Spending Request:
For Fiscal Year 2012, qualifying entities must submit to The Office an executive summary giving an overview of their proposed project or program by no later than February 1, 2010. Along with the executive summary, qualifying entities must also submit a statement regarding the project’s federal nexus (justification for spending federal dollars – including citations of applicable federal laws – on a locally-significant project). This analysis must also include a detailed summary of all other non-federal funding sources for the project or program for which funding is being requested.
These requests will be individually evaluated by Congressman Chaffetz and his staff for their merit and compliance with the federal nexus requirement. Only approved projects will move forward to more complete consideration. Applicants will be notified not later than February 15, 2010 regarding the status of their proposed project or program. Within two weeks of notification (not later than March 1, 2010), all other materials/paperwork required by the House Committee on Appropriations must be submitted to The Office. Fulfillment of this requirement is a precursor to further consideration for funding by either The Office or the House Committee on Appropriations.
Following submission of all requested materials/paperwork for approved projects, The Office will then work with the requesting entity to obtain some form of federal funding. Federal funding for most proposed projects and programs meeting the federal nexus requirement will be sought using either option “a” or “b” (as outlined above). It is entirely possible that no projects or programs will be submitted for federal funding via the congressionally-directed spending process.
In future years, as appropriate, we anticipate the process will evolve. The Office will work with qualifying entities to introduce meritorious projects or programs to federal agencies with jurisdiction, in advance of the annual federal budgeting and appropriations process. These projects and programs may then be included in the Administration’s annual budget request to Congress, at the request of and with the support of the requesting entity, The Office, and the federal agency of jurisdiction. This process allows meritorious projects and programs meeting the federal nexus requirement to be funded by Congress as part of the annual appropriations process.
Interested persons may direct their questions to either Mike Jerman or Justin Harding at 202-225-7751.
To view Congressman Chaffetz' final earmark stance, Click HERE
Requested earmarks submitted to Congressman Chaffetz
Members of the House of Representatives are required to post information on the requests they submit to the Appropriations Committee on their official House website at the time the request is made. each request is requried to incude the following information:
- The proposed recipient, and address of the recipient,
- The amount of the request,and
- An explanation of the request, including purpose, and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds.
Requested earmarks submitted to Congressman Chaffetz for FY 2011: http://chaffetz.house.gov/Earmarks%20FY%202011.xls
