Idaho-Related Funding Requests for Fiscal Year 2011

As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, I strongly support controlling federal spending to ensure that federal tax dollars are used in a responsible and appropriate manner. I am a long-time advocate for accountability in the congressional budget and funding processes. As a steward of taxpayer dollars, Congress has a responsibility to ensure those funds are allocated carefully and in a manner that serves the American people.

In my service as U.S. Senator, I am a strong advocate for the interests of Idahoans at the local and federal level. I look to promote the interests of Idahoans and Idaho institutions throughout the federal government and seek opportunities to address their needs. Idahoans contribute to our nation in many valuable ways. Federal support for Idaho projects can help improve local communities and the quality of life for Idahoans and thereby benefit people throughout the country.

When the federal government allocates money, it is spending your money--tax dollars collected from Idahoans and the rest of the country. For this reason, there must be accountability in the congressional budget and funding processes.

While the majority of the federal budget is allocated to non-discretionary programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and repaying the federal debt, with a further amount devoted to defense and homeland security, about one-third of it is directed through the congressional appropriations process each year. When Congress approves funding for a certain project, it is allocating a specific amount of taxpayer dollars to be spent by a designated agency or an existing program. These appropriations represent worthy state and local projects.

Idahoans help develop our economic strength in local communities by advancing national security, promoting health and justice, improving the environment, improving education and in many other ways. Every year, organizations throughout Idaho ask for my assistance in securing federal funding for local and regional Idaho projects and programs. These projects can include improvements to a local city wastewater system to meet federal standards, funding for a state highway project that will increase safety or matching funds for a school safety program.

It is important that advocacy of Idaho initiatives be done in a manner that meets the following criteria:

It should reflects fiscal responsibility in use of federal funds.
It should add value to Idaho communities, critical research efforts, or to the general understanding of important issues and be consistent with Idaho priorities.
Federal assistance should be appropriate for the project.
It should provide a national benefit or be consistent with ongoing national efforts.

Click on the subcommittee designations below to get a list of all the funding requests Senator Risch and I have submitted for Fiscal Year 2011. I will update the page as we submit the requests to Congress.

Agriculture

Commerce, State, Justice

Labor, Education and Health (LHHS)

Transportation and Community Development (THUD)