Senator Murphy Invites New Requests For Federal Funding Via Congress

Proposals for Special Appropriations Formerly Known as Earmarks Are Due March 19th

By John McNamara

Opportunities for “Congressionally Directed” federal funds for a wide range of community, institutional and local government projects in Connecticut are available through the office of U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) who is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Congressionally Directed Spending (or CDS) provides funding for local programs from the federal government outside of the appropriations that go to federal agencies.  “Congressionally Directed Spending is a great way to get direct support for your town or organization from the federal government. You can apply for projects related to community safety, transportation, healthcare, education, workforce development, housing, science, or energy, climate, and coastal resilience,” according to Senator Murphy’s office.

““Congressionally Directed Spending is a great way to get direct support for your town or organization from the federal government.“

US Senator Chris Murphy

The deadline for submitting requests is March 19, 2023. Information on the application process is available from Andrea Gilberti in Senator Murphy’s office at [email protected] 

Earmarks for special projects requested by members of Congress were traditionally part of the federal budget making process in reaching compromises. Lawmakers would leverage their votes and seek one-shot appropriations for projects and programs in their states as part of approving all federal appropriations.

In 2011, Congress ended the practice over reports of abuses and conflicts of interest. In 2021, however, the Congress restored earmarks renaming them “Congressionally Directed Spending” with limitations and by adding transparency requirements and other safeguards to the process of “bringing home the bacon.”

For nonprofits, local governments and other eligible organizations Senator Murphy’s office has provided Guidelines that describes the requirements and process for submitting a proposal. For-profit entities are ineligible. Applicants may make the requests in nine categories depending on the project for which funds are requested. If projects are approved they are included in the Omnibus federal budget for the fiscal year that begins October 1, 2023.

In fiscal year 2023 (this year) Senators Murphy and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) submitted dozens of requests for consideration from a wide range of nonprofits, agencies and local governments. Funded were 99 community projects sending $236 million in new funding to the state.

Senator Murphy, elected to Congress from the 5th Congressional District in 2006, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2012 succeeding Joe Lieberman. He is seeking re-election to a third term in 2024.