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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFederal Earmarks and Funding Update2025-2026 City of Virginia, VA Beach Federal Lobbying Report & Update Becker DC Team June 2, 2026 National Law & Lobbying Firm with over 50 years of experience. 16 Bicoastal Offices: Washington, DC, Florida, New York, New Jersey, California, and Pennsylvania. Diverse and bipartisan team of Virginia-experienced lobbyists Local knowledge. Regional ties. National reach. Named “Top 100 Lobbying Firm” by Bloomberg Government. THE ADVANTAGE YOUR FEDERAL LOBBYING TEAM ALFONSO LOPEZ CO-LEAD LOBBYIST ANTHONY BEDELL CO-LEAD LOBBYIST OMAR FRANCO TEAM MEMBER AMANDA WOOD TEAM MEMBER CLARENCE WILLIAMS TEAM MEMBER PERRY ADAIR TEAM MEMBER A VERY SUCCESSFUL 2025 Working with Brent McKenzie, the City’s Director of Legislative Affairs, and Andrew Damon, our team has pursued an aggressive strategy for taking advantage of unique federal opportunities available to support the City – including: •$15,345,641 in total federal grant funding. •$12 million in FINAL in FY26 earmark. •MOVING FORWARD: $35.60 million & $4.05 million in preliminary Senate & House FY27 earmarks (respectively).* *Reflects the latest in Senate & House appropriations processes, with the House Appropriations Committee actively considering member-selected projects vs. Senate’s delayed process BREAKDOWN OF 2026 EARMARK AWARDS •Of the $12 million in FINAL FY26 earmarks: •$10 million for I-264/Independence Blvd. •$1 million for Bow Creek Stormwater Park •$1 million for Pungo Ferry Road Improvements •Of the Preliminary FY27 earmarks: •Senate: $35.6 million requested by Senators Kaine and Warner (Committee approval pending) •$10 million each for: •Eastern Shore Drainage improvements •Stormwater Operations Center •Virginia Beach Trail Phases II & III •$5 million for Nimmo Parkway •$600,000 for Vehicle Mitigation Barriers •House: $4.05 million in the House Appropriations Committee through Congresswoman Kiggans •$2 million for Stormwater Operations Center •$1,050,000 for Eastern Shore Drainage •$500,000 for Virginia Beach Trail Phases II & III •$500,000 for Nimmo Parkway FY2027 APPROPRIATIONS PROCESSES •A typical appropriations cycle roughly mirrors the timeframe to the right. •All City FY27 Earmark projects are under review for Committee selection in both the House & Senate. •Budgetary negotiations and the FY27 process overall may be further affected by a potential second, Republican-led reconciliation package to fund DHS and enact other budgetary and election-related priorities of the Administration. Typical Timeframe Expected Action February/March FY guidance released; appropriations and earmark requests submitted March/April Members of Congress prioritize submissions and send top picks to the relevant appropriations subcommittee May/June Subcommittees release draft appropriations bills with selected submissions Fall/Winter Congress passes the annual appropriations bill FEDERAL GRANT AWARDS BREAKDOWN •Notable projects in $15,345,641 of City’s federal grant awards: Project Grant Awards Formula/Block Grant Awards $5.246 million in Education grants •Impact Aid Program, Title VII funding $6.513 million in Housing & Urban Development grants •Community Block Development Program •Home Investment Partnership Program •Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program •Emergency Solutions Grant Program •Family Self Sufficiency Program $1.611 million in Homeland Security grants •Port Security Grant Program $2.333 million in DOD grants •World Language Advancement & Readiness Program •Princess Anne Road Water Transmission Main Design LOOKING AHEAD: 2026-2027 PRIORITIES & OPPORTUNITIES •FY 2027 Appropriations Process – A diversified portfolio of top tier targets pursued this fiscal year •Transportation, Water, Labor, and Law Enforcement Earmarks from VA congressional delegation members (process ongoing) •Key Annual Congressional Authorizations/Implementation – •Surface Transportation Reauthorization – Marked up in House T&I Committee, Senate delayed •Past WRDA Implementation – 10x6 “Comprehensive Regional CSRM Study” Update •WRDA 26 – Discussions on future of programs •Federal grants – A wide range of funding opportunities: •Flooding and storm resiliency, including BRIC funding •Police & fire department projects (ex., COPS, AFG) •Expiring Infrastructure Bill opportunities, including surface transportation and connectivity TRUMP ADMINISTRATION GRANT GOALS & TIMELINE •Upon taking office, President Trump signed several executive orders (EOs) pausing the disbursement of infrastructure and energy project funds, meaning funding for other project categories can proceed. •This reflects the Trump Administration’s goal of reprioritizing several existing grant programs to emphasize economic development and job creation rather than climate resilience and Environmental Justice 40 benchmarks sought by the Biden Administration. •Going forward, Congress must enact a Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill as the IIJA is set to expire at the end of 2026. •The Becker Team will work with the City’s delegation and appropriations staff in securing its FY27 funding priorities.