Appropriations
Fighting for Alaska’s Priorities
Alaska has huge needs for infrastructure – roads, ports, airports, bridges and other public facilities - that can only be met with help from the federal government. That’s why Senator Begich supports using earmarks to help Alaska’s communities.
In his first two years in the Senate, he has helped secure approximately $900 million in earmark requests from Alaskan communities and non-profits. His focus has been on projects that protect health, safety and create jobs. For example, he secured $2 million for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium for Training Dental Health Care Workers, and $10 million for the Denali Commission to support health and economic development.
In 2011, the leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives vowed to oppose earmarks and President Obama said he will veto any bill containing earmarks. As a result, Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye announced a two-year moratorium on all earmarks.
That means there will be no earmarks for the next two years. Senator Begich strongly disagrees with this position, because young states like Alaska have critical and unique needs. In the past two years, Alaskans have asked for about $10 billion in earmark funding.
While we need to cut spending and reduce the national deficit, banning earmarks is not a serious deficit reduction strategy, and will disadvantage our state by ceding authority to executive agencies to fund Alaska projects. Each year, he receives hundreds of meritorious project requests that create jobs, or promote health and safety throughout the state, and many of these projects have received funding through the earmark process.
Senator Begich will continue to advocate for projects for Alaska in as many bills as possible and within agencies. Now, more than ever, communities and non-profits need to consider competitive grants and loans available through federal programs.
Recent Legislation
- Status of Appropriations Legislation for Fiscal Year 2011
- Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (H1)
- Department of Defense and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011
- 6th Continuing Resolution (through 4/8/11)
- 5th Continuing Resolution (through 3/8/11)
- 4th Continuing Resolution (through 3/4/11)
- 3rd Continuing Resolution (through 12/21/10)
- 2nd Continuing Resolution (through 12/18/10)
- 1st Continuing Resolution (through 12/3/10)
Videos
Admiral Robert Papp, the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, came to Alaska at my invitation to discuss Coast Guard resources in our state, the changing Arctic and the future needs of Alaska.
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DC Staff Contact
Liz Brinkerhoff-Nottberg
Legislative Assistant
(202) 224-3004
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Alaska Staff Contact
Clare Boersma
Grants Coordinator
(907) 271-5915
Date | Title |
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6/6/12 | Alaska Senators Seek No Funding for Eielson F16 Move |
6/4/12 | Begich Pleased with funding for Alaska Native health facilities |
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5/29/12 | Begich Schedule in Alaska for Memorial Day Senate Recess |
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4/20/12 | Delegation Announces Grants and Contracts to Alaska Programs |
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3/22/12 | Begich, Ayotte Lead Bipartison Effort to Cut Wasteful Funding for Troubled Pentagon Weapons Program |