Throughout his tenure in Congress, U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa) has demonstrated his ability to land federal dollars for the state of Alabama through his mastery of the appropriations process.

It is apparent that in his final year of service, Shelby has not slowed his efforts to direct investment to the state.

In the fiscal year 2022 omnibus package, Alabama’s senior senator landed billions worth of federal dollars in domestic and defense spending pertaining to the Yellowhammer State.

Within the past four months alone, Shelby has secured $23.5 million in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants for airport infrastructure across the state.

RELATED: Shelby announces $18.5M in grant awards for Tuscaloosa, Auburn infrastructure projects

Shelby, who serves as vice chairman and lead Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, has requested $664 million in state earmarks for fiscal year 2023, according to Roll Call.

Should the senator’s funding ask be granted, $200 million of the request would be directed toward the Alabama State Port Authority. The investment would add to the funding Shelby secured in the form of a $100 million grant in March for Alabama’s commerce infrastructure.

While many have criticized the practice of earmarking, Shelby has remained consistent in maintaining that his role as senator is to ensure that Alabama receives its fair share of federal investment.

“I’m proud of it, and if you look at them, they are well received by the people,” Roll Call reported Shelby as saying. “They are all big stuff.”

According to Blair Taylor, a spokesperson for Shelby’s Senate office, the senator’s spending requests are based on merit and would be of long-term value for Alabama.

“Senator Shelby’s FY23 congressionally directed spending requests are meritorious and, if enacted, will significantly benefit the people of Alabama,” advised Taylor in a statement to Yellowhammer News. “He works hard to identify and support projects that will have a lasting impact and remains proud of his requests.”

As his final term in the upper chamber of Congress is set to conclude in January, Shelby has made it clear that the statesman will remain unrelenting in his pursuit to secure investment for his home state.

Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL