Senator Bennett supports Congress's constitutional authority to appropriate and direct congressional funds to designated programs and projects. Bennett also believes that constituents have the constitutional right to petition their elected representatives for funding for qualified projects.
Earmarks constitute one-half of one percent (0.56%) of total spending and come from within overall budgetary levels, which means that eliminating Congress's authority to appropriate such funds would not reduce the deficit. If earmarking was removed from Congress, Washington bureaucrats would decide whether or not Utah would receive funding for projects such as Light Rail or water infrastructure, and Senator Bennett believes the bureaucrats do not know the needs of Utah better than the local leaders and elected officials.
From strengthening our national defense to helping Utah communities and investing in research and education, there are numerous examples of programs that have been funded through earmarks that have greatly benefited the general public and the state of Utah in particular. For example, Senator Bennett's work on the Senate Appropriations Committee has lead to:
Included below are the requests that Utahns have submitted to Senator Bennett along with a justification from the individual/organization/agency requesting the federal funds.
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
Defense
Energy and Water Development
Financial Services and General Government
Homeland Security
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
Legislative Branch
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies