Bill funding expanded Red Lodge Boys and Girls Club advances in Senate

Measure will fund renovations, expansion for successful youth program

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester and his colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee have passed legislation that will help fund renovations and an expansion to the Red Lodge Boys and Girls Club, Tester and Senator Max Baucus announced today.

The Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act includes funding for the expansion of the fast-growing organization that offers educational and recreational opportunities to children after school and during the summer.

“Montana’s young folks are our most valuable resource, and investments in their education and safety are exactly the kind of thing I’m proud to fight for in Congress,” Tester said. “We’ve got to make sure we’re giving our kids and grandkids all the tools they need to be successful in the challenging world we live in.”

“This is great news for young Montanans in Red Lodge and around the region,” Baucus said.  “This funding will go to a proven effort at enriching the lives of young men and women and keeping them safe.  That’s why I’ll stand by this investment every step of the way as it works its way through Congress.”

Under the current legislation, the Boys and Girls Club of Red Lodge would receive $350,000 to fund the renovations and expansion.

The legislation must first pass the full Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives before the funding can be signed into law.

For a full list of funding for Montana under the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, click HERE.

• A federal appropriations bill funds the federal government.  12 appropriations bills will fund the federal government for the next Fiscal Year.
• Less than one half of one percent of these appropriations bills consist of congressionally directed funding (also called “earmarks”).  This funding is not additional spending for the federal government, nor does it increase federal deficit.  Rather, it is a set of directions telling the government where it must use existing funds.
• In the past, appropriations funding had been abused by anonymous requests with little transparency.
• Since 2007, the process was overhauled to guarantee transparency and fair debate in Congress.
• All of Tester’s and Baucus’ appropriations requests are online HERE and HERE.