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Congress is on track to pass an outrageous number of earmarks this year. If congressional leaders continue on this track, they’re on the road to including nearly 12,000 earmarks in the annual appropriations bills this year, quadrupling the number from last year.
In his 2007 State of the Union address President Bush urged Congress to cut wasteful spending, saying: “So let us work together to reform the budget process ... expose every earmark to the light of day and to a vote in Congress … and cut the number and cost of earmarks at least in half by the end of this session.”
At the time, Democrats and Republicans promised to cut earmarks in half but may now go back on their word. It’s not clear what baseline is being used, but 12,000 earmarks is not anywhere near a 50% reduction. - This year, there were 2,658 earmarks (50% cut = 1,329)
- In 2006 there were 9,963 earmarks (50% cut = 4,981)
- In 2005 there were 13,997 (50% cut = 6,998)
This proves what we knew all along: politicians in Washington aren’t serious about reforming the earmarking process. It’s the same old favor factory – still open for business – just under different management.
Now that there is not time to debate and pass each of the annual appropriations bills separately and responsibly, Congress should pass a resolution that funds government operations at current levels. This would keep the number of earmarks down and save taxpayers $31 billion.
To view a larger image of chart, click here.
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