Congress pushes to avert government shutdown; Oklahoma 'earmarks' at risk

Congress is working to pass a resolution to avoid a government shutdown by the upcoming Friday deadline. Republican leaders introduced a continuing resolution to fund the government through Sept. 30 at the end of the fiscal year, rather than a short-term extension.

The proposed resolution would increase defense spending by $6 billion while cutting non-defense domestic spending by $13 billion. Larger cuts proposed by the DOGE team and earmarks for local projects were excluded.

President Trump supports the resolution, urging Republicans to vote 'yes.' News 9's Alex Cameron says that Democrats would prefer a short-term solution to allow more time for negotiation.

"This continuing resolution freezes overall funding while increasing funding for the border," Oklahoma State Rep. Kevin Hern said. "I am proud to vote YES, and urge all of my colleagues to stand with the President and help his agenda."

The House vote on the continuing resolution is set for Tuesday. If passed, the bill will be advanced to the Senate, where at least some Democratic support will be needed to reach the 60 votes required.

Five Oklahoma Member Earmarks

In 2021, Congress decided to bring back “earmarks,” which had been banned a decade earlier due to abuse by some members. Supporters of earmarks (which included the late Senator Jim Inhofe and currently include Rep. Tom Cole and others) argue, the dollars that go toward earmarks are going to be spent—better to have members of Congress who know their districts direct how the money should be spent than a ‘bureaucrat in Washington, D.C.’ Opponents of earmarks (which include Senate James Lankford, Rep. Kevin Hern, and Rep. Josh Brecheen) believe that earmarks only help to incentivize spending—that if a member has an earmark(s) in a spending bill, they are less likely to be willing to vote against it or push for cuts within the bill. The members who request the earmarks must certify that they have no financial interest in the project.

Formally, earmarks are known, in the House, as Community Project Funding; in the Senate, as Congressionally Directed Spending. In the yearlong continuing resolution that Republicans hope to pass this week, FY 2025 earmarks are not included. This will not affect earmarks from FY 2024 and members can still submit earmark requests for FY 2026. Here are five FY 2025 earmarks from Oklahoma members that, in the CR passes, will not be funded:

1. From Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK5) – Hefner Water Treatment Plant

“I am requesting $15,178,689 for Hefner Water Treatment Plant in fiscal year 2025. The entity to receive funding for this project is Hefner Water Treatment Plant, located at 3827 W. Hefner Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73120. The funding would be used for the installation of the Electrical Power Generator System at the Hefner Water Treatment Plant to ensure continuous water service to the Oklahoma City metropolitan area to protect health, safety, and welfare of the region.”

2. From Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK4) – Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator’s Science and Technology Convergence Institute

Amount Requested: $7,000,000

The funding for the Science and Technology Convergence Institute will be used to catalyze the development of a multifaceted ecosystem that seamlessly integrates educational excellence with entrepreneurial growth. This investment will directly contribute to the establishment of cutting edge facilities for STEM education and a comprehensive incubator and accelerator program.

3. From Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK3) – Oklahoma Aerospace Propulsion Sustainment Research Center (OAPSRC)

Amount Requested: $4,500,000

Request Explanation: OAPSRC will work to develop new manufacturing and repair technologies; improving ground test capabilities; and meeting workforce development needs for the aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will create a national hub for new manufacturing and repair technologies, improve ground test technologies, and meet Oklahoma workforce needs.

4. From Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) – Ottawa County Detention Center

Construction of a detention facility in Northeast Oklahoma, including for the purpose of housing criminals prosecuted in Tribal courts.

Amount Requested: $5,000,000

5. From Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) – Seminole Critical Water Main Supply Replacement

This project would replace three miles of cracking cast iron pipe with new 12″ piping to provide clean and consistent water flow to the citizens in Seminole.

Amount Requested: $3,000,000