Updated March 20, 2026. As Congress kicks off the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) appropriations cycle, Regional Development Organizations (RDOs) have important opportunities to shape federal investment in their communities and beyond.   On February 25th, the House Appropriations Committee opened its electronic portal for FY27 earmark requests for House members, allowing them to submit programmatic, language, and Community Project Funding (also known as earmarks) requests on behalf of their constituents. Please see the Committee’s published guidance and resources HERE.  On March 18th, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Patty Murray, Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released guidance for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 programmatic, language, and Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests. Read the guidance HERE.  Some, but not all, Senate offices have begun accepting earmark (also known as Congressionally Directed Spending) as well as programmatic and language requests.  This post summarizes the key updates, deadlines, and practical steps RDOs should take now to prepare for FY27.  BACKGROUND  What are programmatic, language, and community project funding requests? 

• Programmatic Requests: Members may submit a request to fund a specific program or activity in the bill at a specified level. 

Ex. $110 million for the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) Partnership Planning Program in FY 2027, the level authorized under the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024. 

• Language Requests: Members may submit a request to include specific bill or report language that does not direct funding to a particular entity but encourages, urges, or directs some type of action. 

Ex. The Committee recognizes the vital role of Economic Development Districts in facilitating regional economic competitiveness and directs EDA to ensure that planning funds are sufficient to support at least two full‑time professional staff per district. 

• Community Project Funding Requests: Members may submit a request to fund specific projects in their communities, so long as the projects have a federal nexus and meet other requirements established by federal law, House Rules, and the Committee to ensure only high-quality projects are requested and funded. 

See a list of projects from FY26 HERE. 

FY27 UPDATES  For FY27, House members are only able to submit 20 of their own requests across the 8 appropriations bills that include Community Project Funding (outlined below). Senate members are able to submit 25 requests for Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies, 35 for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, 40 for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, 65 for Labor, HHS, Education, and Related Agencies, and 65 for Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies. Additionally, the House is reopening the Labor-HHS account for Community Project Funding requests. Specifically, the House is accepting requests for funding through HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for “HRSA-Wide Activities and Program Support.” Funding is generally reserved for health facilities construction and equipment.  DEADLINES FOR FUNDING REQUESTS  Deadlines for each House Appropriations subcommittee are as follows:   Friday, March 13th: 

• Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration 

• Commerce, Justice, and Science  

• Financial Services and General Government (Programmatic and language requests only) 

• Legislative Branch (Programmatic and language requests only) 

• Military Construction and Veterans Affairs 

• National Security and Department of State (Programmatic and language requests only) 

Friday, March 20th: 

• Defense (Programmatic and language requests only) 

• Energy and Water Development 

• Homeland Security 

• Interior and Environment 

• Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education 

• Transportation and Housing and Urban Development  

Please note these are NOT the deadlines for individual offices. Please see your representative’s website for their specified deadline.    STEPS TO TAKE FOR COMMUNITY PROJECT REQUESTS (HOUSE REQUESTS ONLY) 

1. Consult the Community Project Funding (CPF) request guidance. Available HERE. 

1. Determine where your project falls within eligible accounts. A list of eligible accounts is available HERE. 

1. Consult the applicable subcommittee guidance for that account linked HERE. 

1. To submit, visit your representative’s website to see if they posted their CPF request forms; if you don’t see them, call your office. 

STEPS TO TAKE FOR PROGRAMMATIC AND LANGUAGE REQUESTS (HOUSE REQUESTS ONLY) 

1. Consult the programmatic and language request guidance. Available HERE. 

1. Take a look at NADO’s advocacy resources for ideas HERE. 

1. To submit, visit your representative’s website to see if they posted their programmatic and language request forms; if you don’t see them, call your office. 

For Senate Requests, some senators have begun to post their guidance for Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) and programmatic and language requests. Please see your senator’s website to determine if they have opened up submissions.   NADO will continue to monitor the FY27 appropriations process and will keep members informed of any programmatic or language requests submitted on behalf of our members.