Council presses OGR on federal strategy and earmark prospects as Congress tightens spending

Council members used the work session to probe the city’s federal strategy, urging OGR to prioritize a small number of high‑probability funding requests and to defend existing federal formula funding as Congress faces spending constraints.

“Strategy,” several councilors said repeatedly — advocate for maintaining formula funding while pursuing a tightly targeted set of earmarks tied to the city’s highest priorities, such as infrastructure, workforce development and transportation. Councilors asked OGR to provide a clear list of member-sponsored earmark requests and to identify the delegation members most likely to champion those requests.

Jack Arriaga, Federal Program Manager, said the city initially submitted a dozen earmark requests and currently had eight pending requests with members of the Oregon delegation; he also noted that the prior fiscal cycle produced significant earmarks, while the most recent congressional action implemented a continuing resolution that included no new earmarks for fiscal year 2025.

Council members said political changes in Congress and the federal administration reduce the universe of available grants and appropriations and increase the value of focused advocacy. Several suggested the mayor and councilors personally champion particular projects with the delegation and that OGR coordinate those efforts so requests are consistent and limited in number.

OGR said it will return to the council with a prioritized federal strategy and a list of the city’s current earmark requests; the office also recommended steady communications with the delegation and monthly briefings through the fall, increasing the cadence as the congressional appropriations process advances.