Oberstar Asks Republicans to Declare Intentions on Funding Requests

Press Release

Congressman Jim Oberstar is asking his House Republican colleagues to take a stand for or against making specific funding requests to benefit their home districts.

"The ability to direct funding to specific projects is an important tool that all Members of Congress have to benefit their constituents," said Oberstar. "Likewise, citizens have a First Amendment right to petition their government for redress of grievances and such directed funding allows Congress to be responsive to those petitions. Unfortunately, the Republican leadership is trying to vilify their Members who are using this practice to aid their constituents."

Oberstar, who chairs the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, is currently working on the Water Resources Development Act of 2010 (WRDA). WRDA is a major bill that upgrades the nation's ports, locks and other infrastructure for waterborne commerce, and funds numerous habitat restoration projects in wetlands and waterways across the nation.

In response to a July 2009 request by Oberstar, 354 Members of the House of Representatives submitted letters requesting specific projects and studies be included in the forthcoming WRDA, including requests from 120 House Republicans.

Two months ago the House Republican Conference adopted a moratorium on all member-directed funding, effective immediately. In response to the Republican Conference moratorium, four Members of the Republican Conference sent letters to Oberstar formally withdrawing their project requests for WRDA 2010.

This week, Oberstar sent a letter to the 116 House Republicans who have made requests for WRDA projects to request clarification on their continued support for their project requests.

"You can't have it both ways," said Oberstar. "You're either for funding important projects in your district or you're not. It's interesting to note that the moratorium the Republican leadership adopted only lasts until after this fall's election."

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee intends to consider WRDA in the near future and is working in tandem with the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works to have a bill ready for President Obama this fall.

Next week, Chairman Oberstar intends to send a similar letter to Members of the Republican Conference regarding the "Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2010," a major six-year bill that will fund the nation's road and bridge projects.

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