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November 22, 2008 9:40:19 CST

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After Decline, Congress' Earmarking is Back

Posted Jun 13, 08 10:46 CDT in Politics 

(Newser) – Though Congress vowed last year to reduce earmarking—the process of directing funds to projects at home with little scrutiny—recently there’s been a jump in such spending, the Washington Post reports. A House defense bill’s earmarked funds rose 29% last month, and the Senate bill looks as though it will follow the trend. “Parties talk a good game,” said an analyst, “but at first opportunity, the House larded up.”

Legislators pledged to reduce earmarks last year under pressure for carelessly funding programs, and the earmarks declined. But “this is just another broken promise,” said the analyst. While some argue Congress has the right to control where the money goes, and that it often boosts useful projects, others claim it leads to dirty politics in a “pay-to-play” system, where generous lobbyists receive earmarks in exchange for campaign cash.

Source Washington Post

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Congressional earmarking has grown after a decline sparked last year.   (Shutterstock)
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., pauses while speaking in Washington, June 10, 2008. McCain has been one of the biggest critics of earmarking.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Dec. 7, 2007. Levin made earmarking requests worth $198 million, the Washington Post reports.   (AP Photo)
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