Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD-2) writes in the Baltimore Sun, criticizing House Republicans for prohibiting earmarks from three appropriations bills, including the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Other Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 (Labor-HHS): The foolish decision panders to extreme conservative ideologues who are hyper-fixated on a handful of earmarks that, last… Continue reading Analysis: Criticism of Earmark Restrictions
Category: Analysis
Analysis: When Members Change Their Tune
Typically, a Member of Congress who has campaigned against earmarks will stick with that position, but a few things can cause a rare change of heart: An example of the last possibility was reported by Colorado Public Radio: …opening the door to earmarks is a change for Boebert who, in 2021 and 2022, wrote op-eds… Continue reading Analysis: When Members Change Their Tune
Analysis: An Argument Against Earmarks from the Left
Just as the support for earmarks is often bipartisan, the opposition can also be bipartisan. While those on the right often oppose earmarks for promoting wasteful spending or higher levels of spending, those on the left argue that earmarks can divert funding from criteria-based grant programs. See this example from the environmental group National Resources… Continue reading Analysis: An Argument Against Earmarks from the Left
Analysis: Average Earmark Size by Party
An article in the Minnesota Post contains this analysis: Brookings Institution issued a recent study of the earmarks sought in Congress in 2021, the first year they were reinstated after the 10-year ban. It found that only about half of the GOP members of Congress requested earmarks that year – a number that has increased… Continue reading Analysis: Average Earmark Size by Party
Analysis: Does Canceling an Earmark Cut Spending?
This ABC news story illustrates a common argument against earmarks: Lawmakers on Capitol Hill look to cut spending amid thousands of omnibus earmark projects https://abcnews4.com/news/nation-world/lawmakers-on-capitol-hill-look-to-cut-spending-amid-thousands-of-omnibus-earmark-projects-earmark-projects-directed-by-members-of-congress-federal-tax-dollars What it gets right: What it gets wrong:
Analysis: Earmarks Not Swaying Votes (So Far)
One of the justifications for bringing back earmarks was to create incentives for members of both parties to vote for major bills by including projects that had been sponsored by individual members to directly benefit their Congressional District or State. Thus far, that has not been the case, per reporting from Stars and Stripes: House… Continue reading Analysis: Earmarks Not Swaying Votes (So Far)
Analysis: Internal Deadlines vs. Committee Deadlines
As this local news story demonstrates, personal offices will set an internal deadline, often far in advance of the House Appropriations Committee’s deadline or the Senate Appropriations Committee’s deadline. This gives them time to weigh the relative merits of each project and come up with their final list, which they will submit to the Committee.… Continue reading Analysis: Internal Deadlines vs. Committee Deadlines
Subscribers: Navigating the Difference Between Senate and House Earmark Accounts
Roll Call has a breakdown of the differences between federal agencies and accounts that can be earmarked in the House and Senate bills: Agriculture: Unlike the House, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s salaries and expenses and Natural Resources Conservation Service accounts, including watershed protection and flood prevention programs, would be open for earmarking in… Continue reading Subscribers: Navigating the Difference Between Senate and House Earmark Accounts
Analysis: Here Are the Senators Who Are Accepting Earmarks
At this time, it appears that all 48 Senate Democrats and 2 Independents (who caucus with Democrats) are accepting earmark applications. Politico reported on 6 Republicans who have confirmed that they will be submitting earmark requests, and 12 Republicans who have not made a final decision or have not commented. Senator State Position Roy Blunt… Continue reading Analysis: Here Are the Senators Who Are Accepting Earmarks
Subscribers: What Is the Financial Disclosure Form?
Some Member earmark submission forms reference the Financial Disclosure form in an ambiguous way that may make it seem like it is a part of the packet you must submit to the Member’s office as a part of your Community Project application. It is important to remember that the Appropriations Committee Website and its posted… Continue reading Subscribers: What Is the Financial Disclosure Form?