Issue Position: Appropriations

Issue Position

Issue Position: Appropriations

Congressman Mahoney is committed to making Washington more ethical and transparent. In the first weeks of the 110th Congress, Tim helped lead the floor debate on important earmark reform, which was signed into law in September of 2007. This important legislation requires the Member of Congress who is sponsoring each earmark to be identified in the appropriations bills and that Members of Congress certify that neither they nor their spouse have a personal financial interest in any of the projects.

Federal funding for FY09 will be appropriated through 12 separate bills. Members of Congress can submit funding requests, known as earmarks, from localities in the district they represent. Project funding is ultimately determined by a variety of factors at the committee level including;

1. Whether or not funding requests for similar projects were submitted by other Members of Congress
2. The amount of funding that is available.
3. The degree to which projects are already underway.

Congressman Mahoney's Policy on Funding Requests

Florida's 16th Congressional District (FL-16) will submit earmarks requested by local governments within FL-16; those requested by a private company operating within FL-16 accompanied by a letter of support from the appropriate federal agency; or requested by a registered not-for-profit organization in FL-16. All requests will be reviewed and the determination of whether they will be submitted will be strictly based on their merits and are subject to the sole discretion of the Congressman.

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