Funding would deliver millions across Washington state to local projects championed by Senator Murray during the Congressional appropriations process
Senator Murray: “The return of Congressionally-directed spending is a great thing for Washington state… This money will mean concrete investments in local communities and projects that matter most to the people in our state.”
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced more than $111 million in approved Congressionally-directed spending requests on behalf of public and nonprofit entities across Washington state for fiscal year 2022. A full list of Senator Murray’s approved Congressionally-directed spending requests can be found HERE.
Murray’s office began soliciting input for appropriations requests from communities in every part of Washington state since April 12th and through the Summer, working to submit requests for projects that benefit communities across Washington state, especially projects that would benefit historically underserved populations and communities—particularly in the areas of child care, affordable housing, health care, climate action, infrastructure needs, and more.
Implementation of Senator Murray’s Congressionally-directed spending requests will be contingent upon passage of the fiscal year 2022 appropriations bill drafts which have been released by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Senator Murray has been a longtime and outspoken advocate of Congressionally-directed spending—passage of the fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills would also signal the return of Congressionally-directed spending after a decadelong prohibition.
“The return of Congressionally-directed spending is a great thing for Washington state—and I was proud to work with my colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee to make that happen,” said Senator Murray. “I talk with Washington state families every day, and I meet with folks from every community in every part of our state, and as a lifelong Washington state resident, I know our state better than any well-meaning bureaucrat in DC. Congressionally-directed spending is another important way for me to listen to what kids and families in our state need and then go fight for it. This money will mean concrete investments in local communities and projects that matter most to the people in our state—it’s money for affordable housing in Seattle, a sewer system in Malden, or a child care center for the Samish Indian Nation, and so much more.”
As the second ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray has been instrumental in securing major federal investments for Washington state priorities. Senator Murray has secured investments for local Washington state projects and initiatives through the following Senate Appropriations subcommittees: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS); Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD); Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS); Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Homeland Security; Agriculture; Energy and Water; and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.
This fiscal year, Congressionally-directed spending was capped at 1% of total discretionary spending, potentially totaling about $15 billion. The Senate Appropriations Committee reviews all requests from Senators. Only those requests that comply with Committee and Senate rules and are deemed appropriate for federal support were considered for funding. A link to the list of reforms can be found here.
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