Earmarks are funds requested by a Member of Congress to be placed in an appropriation bill. These bills fund the government's many programs and operations and carry with them federal funds that can be used by local governments and organizations. In an effort to make this cryptic process more transparent, all earmarks requested of the Congressman are posted below.
It is important to note that this list is not what has been chosen to be funded. Members of Congress who sit on the Appropriations Subcommittees will make the final judgment on what projects will be funded. Very few of these projects will ultimately be funded, but the Congressman will fight for every one.
The Congressman believes this list demonstrates two things. First, that while the term earmark conjures images of “bridges to nowhere” and pork barrel sweetheart projects, this list tells a different story. These are community shelters, soup kitchens, free clinics and cities’ programs. This list also demonstrates the enormous need facing our community and communities throughout the nation.
President Kennedy had on his desk a simple prayer which captures the plight of so many of our community’s service organizations, "O God, the sea is so great and my boat is so small." While it will never be enough, Congressman Cleaver will do all that he can to bring your federal tax dollars back home to ease the ever-increasing need.
