What Is an "Earmark"?

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) defines earmarks as "namely specified funds for projects, activities, or institutions not requested by the executive, or add-ons to requested funds which Congress directs for specific activities." Thus, an earmark is simply any spending on any project that is not explicitly in the president’s budget.

Every year after the State of the Union address, the president submits his budget to the Congress. Both Democrats and Republicans then review it and begin a debate about how to allocate the finite amount of resources needed to fund every operation of the federal government – from Pell grants for college to the FBI and everything in between.

Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution gives Congress the power to direct the appropriations of money. The earmarking process is a regular part of allocating funds within the federal government. Each of the appropriations subcommittees have their own practices for determining whether and what kind of projects they are willing to earmark, and each sets rules for how earmark requests are to be received from Members of Congress.

After my colleagues and I submit earmark requests, the chairmen of the relevant committee determine whether or not to approve each funding request. Each of the appropriating and authorizing committees and subcommittees has their own practices for determining whether and what kind of projects they are willing to earmark. And each sets rules for how earmark requests are to be received from Members of Congress.

In order to provide the American people with a transparent look at how our government works each earmark request is posted on the website of the Member of Congress making the request. Members of Congress must also send a letter with each request to the Appropriations Committee that certifies they have no personal financial stake in the project. Additionally, each earmark request that gets funded has the requesting legislator’s name alongside the project in the actual bill.

Earmarks serve a variety of purposes if used responsibly. I only request earmarks that aim to make our communities better places to live and work, and support necessary infrastructure upgrades. Every request I make must directly benefit New York’s 22nd Congressional District, or I will not request it.

Earmarking is used for funding projects both large and small. Mostly importantly, it’s one of the best ways to ensure the hardworking people of Massachusetts' 10th District are getting their fair share of tax dollars put to work where it matters most – where we live and work.

Separate from earmarks, some federal funds are allocated through the grants process. Like earmarks, grants directly benefit local communities’ efforts to fight crime, educate children, or a number of other important efforts.

If you have any questions whatsoever about appropriations requests, I encourage you to please contact my office.

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