Thread by @repdonyoung

NEW: I’m happy to announce that THREE of the Member Directed Projects I requested and advocated for have been APPROVED by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee!

They are: [THREAD]

✅ $8.7 million for the reconstruction of Cowles Street In Fairbanks.

✅ $6.4 million to replace Bridge 114.3, used by the Alaska Railroad, in Anchorage.

✅ $5.6 million for Phase 2 of the Seldon Road Extension in Wasilla.

For too long, my colleagues and I have been unable to directly request funding for projects in our districts. This decade-long ban on 'earmarks' served only to shift Congress' rightful power to appropriate money to the Executive, while denying needed funds to local entities.

This Congress, through the Member Directed Projects program, we have begun to take incremental steps toward fully restoring the Article I powers of Congress.

The AK Railroad is a critical part of our economy. I am pleased that the Committee has approved replacing the structurally obsolete bridge at the Railroad's Anchorage yard.

In Wasilla, I have secured approval for the Seldon Road Phase 2 extension, which would increase access to schools, and emergency services such as firefighters and paramedics.

Finally, the Cowles Street reconstruction project's funding approval would improve connections between communities and bolster Cowles Street, which provides 61% of the community's total annual ridership.

Discussions surrounding federal investments in #infrastructure will continue, and Alaskans can count on me to keep standing up for our state and its unique transportation needs.

Although an improvement over the status quo, this process was flawed in that Members were evenly allotted a set amount of funding without taking into account the size or makeup of their districts.

Unfortunately, this program favored large population states at the expense geographically expansive states like AK, which generally have higher project costs.

It is my great hope that the Member Directed Projects program proves successful and is updated appropriately so that we as a Congress can better support our constituents using the power of the purse.

Read more: donyoung.house.gov/news/documents…