Appropriations Request

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.

To receive updates on when our office will begin accepting Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations requests, including Community Project Funding applications and programmatic requests, please complete this form.

If you have any questions or need assistance with your request, please contact our office at PA12Appropriations@mail.house.gov.

General Appropriations Guidance

In general, our office will be accepting three types of appropriations requests:

1. 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)
2. 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.”).
3. 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.

To receive updates on when our office will begin accepting Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations requests, please complete this form.

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. 

To review Congresswoman Lee’s CPF submissions for FY2026, please click here.

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. These requirements are established annually and may change from one fiscal year to the next.

To receive updates on when our office will begin accepting Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations requests, please complete this form.

For any questions or assistance with your request, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at PA12Appropriations@mail.house.gov.