Under Article I of the Constitution, Congress alone holds the power of the purse—the exclusive authority to control government spending. Each year, Congress exercises that authority through the appropriations process, setting funding levels for federal agencies and programs. This process is not merely procedural; it is a constitutional mandate and a fundamental safeguard within our system of checks and balances. Attempts to withhold or redirect funds that have been lawfully appropriated by Congress would be a violation of that mandate and unlawful.
As your representative, Congresswoman Summer Lee advocates during the appropriations process to ensure that federal investments reflect the needs and priorities of Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District.
Our office is pleased to announce that we are now accepting appropriations requests for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. The deadline to submit all appropriations requests was Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 11:59PM. The application period is now closed.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your request, please contact our office at PA12Appropriations@mail.house.gov.
Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Guidance
For FY26, our office will be accepting three types of appropriations requests:
- Programmatic: A request to fund a specific federal program or agency at a specified level (e.g., $10 million for the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Research Program)
- Bill or Report Language: A request to include specific language encouraging or directing an agency to take a particular action (e.g., “The Committee directs the Federal Highway Administration to ensure that all land acquired with agency funds is prioritized for public benefit.”).
- Community Project Funding (CPF): A request to fund a specific state government, local government, or nonprofit organization to carry out a defined project (e.g., $950,000 for the City of Pittsburgh’s criminal justice diversion program).
Each House Member is limited to submitting only 15 CPF requests.
Programmatic, Bill and Report Language Requests
As previously noted, programmatic requests are used to recommend funding levels for specific federal programs or agencies. Bill and report language are used to explain how those funds should be used and to encourage or direct agencies to carry out specific actions in line with Congressional intent. These requests are key avenues for advocating increased investment in the core federal programs and agencies that are essential to both our local communities and communities across the country.
All entities are welcome to submit programmatic or language requests. However, preference will be given to those based in, or with a clear connection to, PA-12 or Pennsylvania.
The deadline to submit a request was Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 11:59PM.
For any questions or assistance with your request, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at PA12Appropriations@mail.house.gov.
Community Project Funding
In 2021, Congress revived the practice of allowing Members to request direct federal funding for specific local projects, known as Community Project Funding (CPF), an improved and reformed version of the former “earmarks” process. CPFs allow Members to appropriate funding directly to local projects that reflect community priorities and address community needs, particularly in areas that have faced historic underinvestment. Each Member of the House is limited to a maximum of 15 CPF submissions.
For FY25, rather than passing individual appropriations bills or a single omnibus package, Congressional Republicans chose to solely advance a measure that largely extended existing FY24 funding levels through the end of the 2025 fiscal year. This measure excluded all CPFs previously approved in individual appropriations legislation, including all of Congresswoman Lee’s FY25 CPF submissions. As a result, our office is prioritizing the resubmission of previously selected FY25 projects that remain eligible and in need of support. Given the 15-project cap, this means the FY26 CPF selection process will be especially competitive this year. Our office will only accept requests from entities based in, or directly serving, PA-12.
The deadline to submit a request was Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 11:59PM.
For any questions or assistance with your request, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at PA12Appropriations@mail.house.gov.
To review Congresswoman Lee’s CPF submissions for FY2025, please click here.
To review Congresswoman Lee’s CPF submissions for FY2024, please click here.
NOTE: The House Appropriations Committee Majority sets the rules, guidelines, and eligibility criteria for CPF submissions. According to Committee guidelines, eligible CPF recipients include states, local governments, public and nonprofit universities, and certain nonprofit organizations, depending on the appropriations account. Unfortunately, nonprofit organizations remain ineligible for funding through the Community Development Fund – Economic Development Initiative (EDI).
Additionally, CPF requests are limited to specific appropriations accounts. For FY26, the Committee has largely maintained the same eligible accounts as in FY25. These accounts are listed below:
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
- Agricultural Research Service – Buildings and Facilities
- Natural Resources Conservation Service – Conservation Operations
- Rural Development – Community Facilities Grants
- Rural Development – ReConnect Grants
- Rural Development – Water and Waste Disposal Grants
- Rural Development – Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
- Department of Justice – Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG)
- Department of Justice – Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Technology and Equipment
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) – Safety, Security, and Mission Services (SSMS)
Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies
- Army Corps of Engineers – Investigations
- Army Corps of Engineers – Construction
- Army Corps of Engineers – Mississippi River and Tributaries
- Army Corps of Engineers – Operation and Maintenance
- Bureau of Reclamation – Water and Related Resources
Homeland Security
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grants
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Emergency Operations Center Grants
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) for Clean Water and Drinking Water infrastructure projects
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
- Department of Defense – Military Construction Accounts for Active and Reserve Components (e.g., Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard, Reserves)
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
- Department of Transportation – Airport Improvement Program
- Department of Transportation – Highway Infrastructure Projects
- Department of Transportation – Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements
- Department of Transportation – Transit Infrastructure Grants
- Department of Transportation – Port Infrastructure Development Program
- Department of Housing and Urban Development – Economic Development Initiatives
For any questions or assistance with your request, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at PA12Appropriations@mail.house.gov.