The crap for the airports, and the schools is just that crap.
Wetumpka airport for example might see 2 maybe 3 planes come and go on a given day, they have no tower to speak of and yet they now have a terminal.
Providing funds so small volunteer fire departments can replace old equipment benefits everyone and lives up to the whole “provide for the general welfare of the United States” as cited in Section 8 unlike resurfacing runways and building terminals at airports that are used by less than 1% of the local population.
I have no problem with public funding for these items, however I am of the belief that if the FedGov quit acting like the rich uncle and left these items to the individual states then they would cost less.
When federal funding is involved the administrative burden just to release funds is on the order of 30% - so you are getting 70 cents on the dollar for the investment - add to that the additional administrative and oversight costs that go with federal projects and you further decrease the value of the investment.
Another other issue I have with these earmark type projects is that federal funding process is inherently corrupt - you vote for my project and I vote for yours.
Lastly - any project that cannot withstand the spotlight of public committee hearings and votes should be assumed NOT worthy of federal dollars.
He didn’t vote to hold the line because he has made promises and announced funding that he would then have to retract. It’s purely political and is a great example of why there are so many FORMER (R) congress-critters sitting at home these days.