Bipartisanship prevails when it comes to earmarks for the state

More than $250M in Georgia-specific items approved.

WASHINGTON — Working together with Republican U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, Democratic Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock obtained $22 million in federal dollars for construction of a new facility at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta.

The senators partnered with another Georgia Republican, U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson, in landing $3 million that the University of Georgia Research Foundation plans to put toward the creation of a high-tech agriculture laboratory in Tifton. And Warnock partnered with Republican U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter on $38 million in harbor improvements for Brunswick.

Despite the bitter partisanship that often defines Washington, members of Georgia’s delegation often find themselves working across party lines to bring money to the state and their districts.

These projects — and more — are found within the $467.5 billion government funding package that President Joe Biden signed into law over the weekend. The so-called “minibus” funding package in total represents about 30% of all government spending and includes more than $250 million in Georgia-specific line items informally known as earmarks.

“Federal funds help cover the often large, upfront costs that can be insurmountable or beyond the smaller budgets with which some communities must work,” U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, said about the 15 projects of his that were funded, totaling $15.7 million. “I will continue to work hard in Congress to make sure the federal government remains a reliable partner to our community and makes the investments necessary for us to grow as well as improve Georgians’ quality of life.”

Ossoff and Warnock had a hand in most of Georgia’s earmarks, which members of Congress refer to as “community projects.” But Bishop is among the half-dozen members of the House delegation who assisted with at least a dozen projects receiving funding in the signed bill.

Dozens more are pending as budget negotiators in both chambers iron out the remaining appropriations bills ahead of a March 22 partial shutdown deadline for those affected agencies.

While four Georgia Republicans chose not to request earmarks at all for the 2024 fiscal year, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for the second year in a row championed the money she was able to bring back to her district. Her seven projects collectively represent about $10 million in federal spending, and they include money for things such as an expansion of the airport in Rome, her hometown, and a community center renovation in Gordon County.

“Congresswoman Greene meticulously sought out projects that would improve quality of life, increase economic and social development, assist localities with vital funding needs, and harness community support,” her office said in a statement about these earmarks.

The four Republicans who did not request earmarks are U.S. Reps. Rick Allen of Augusta, Andrew Clyde of Athens, Rich McCormick of Suwanee and Austin Scott of Tifton.