When Katie Britt assumed her role on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, she did so as the most junior Senator of the entire body, ranking last in seniority. She was low on the totem pole, and she had big shoes to fill taking over legendary Senator Richard Shelby’s seat. He ranked fourth in overall seniority and was probably one of the five most powerful elected officials in the country when he retired as Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Many expected it would be several years before Britt could wield the power needed to bring substantial funding home to Alabama. But as it turns out, she did not even need a full term to reach historic heights of her own.
As the Senate concludes a Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations cycle and looks ahead to 2027, I was curious about what each of our Alabama delegation members secured in terms of Congressionally Directed Spending / Community Funding Projects. I have written before on how prolific Britt has been in bringing home the bacon, but it’s particularly true this year. In total, Britt directly secured $215.7 million in federal funds for the state. Interestingly, none of this funding is for massive projects, a hallmark of her predecessor. By and large, these are targeted projects throughout the state that have the potential to make big impacts.
Thanks to Britt, for example, the Heflin Fire Department will receive $1.2 million to purchase a fire truck. The Jacksonville Police Department will receive $287,000 to purchase a new law enforcement vehicle. One million will be used on behalf of the Cleburne County Commission to replace a bridge over Muscadine Creek. The University of Montevallo’s nursing program will receive $1 million. The Winston County Commission will receive $900,000 to replace a drainage structure.
What is most impressive is how her appropriations leadership eclipses the entire Alabama delegation. Senator Tommy Tuberville secured a total of $37.17 million, while combined, our seven Representatives secured a total of $213.13 million. While the delegation as a whole outperforms most of its peer states in returning taxpayer dollars, it is notable that Britt brought home more than the entire House of Representatives delegation combined.
While earmark critics raise concern over “special interest projects,” Alabama would do well to remember that, thanks to Katie Britt: over $300 million has been invested in the Port of Mobile. The historic Tuskegee Aviation and Aero Technology program has been revived. Redstone Arsenal is a shining beacon for defending the United States. Mobile is set to open an international airport downtown. Universities across the state, including the renowned University of Alabama at Birmingham, continue to lead the nation in advanced research.
After all, these are our taxpayer dollars. Alabama’s congressional delegation should work tirelessly to send this funding to strengthen communities back home, not ones in California or New York through gluttonous government grant programs administered by Washington bureaucrats with little oversight.
We will never know the extent of the conversations, meetings, and negotiations Britt has over the course of an appropriations cycle, but we will feel it in our communities when progress continues on local infrastructure projects. The funding Katie Britt secured already in her short tenure will benefit almost 80% of counties across our state. It is no surprise that polling consistently shows her as Alabama’s most popular elected official, and it is clear that she is also Alabama’s most effective elected official.
When Katie Britt took office, she promised she would be a “leader who looks to identify and implement tangible, meaningful solutions to the serious challenges and opportunities facing both Alabama and America, so hardworking families can thrive in strong communities.” She has already delivered, and in doing so, has shown her refusal to conform to the typical Washington mold. It looks like Katie Britt has the makings of being another Richard Shelby.
See you next week.
Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at [email protected].