Post by robeiae on Feb 27, 2021 8:40:16 GMT -5
Earmarks are coming back, and this time there's no real attempt--aside from language choices--to disguise them for what they are: pure congressional pork.
I guess one might argue that the "ban" wasn't all that meaningful, as Congress still manages to spend oodles of money on things that having nothing to do with the bills where such spending is mandated. In that respect, this new approach will put the spending out there in the clear light of day. Yet, it's all a very clear admission--imo--that Congress is full of corrupt people who need some help with their corruption to hold on to their offices.
House Democrats’ earmarks plan will cap the total amount of money that can be spent on earmarks to 1 percent of total discretionary spending.
For-profit entities will not be eligible for earmarks and the Government Accountability Office will audit the process by looking at a “sample” of enacted earmarks and submitting a report to Congress.
Members will be capped at submitting 10 earmark requests per fiscal year, though members aren’t guaranteed to get those earmarks included in the annual government funding bills. Lawmakers must provide evidence their communities support the earmarks they submit. And any member submitting a request must post it online at the same time they submit their proposal to the Appropriations Committee.
The House panel plans to create a “one-stop” online portal for all House members' earmarks requests.
The House will continue to require the oversight and transparency restrictions Democrats put in place before the ban took effect in 2011 and add in new rules as well.
The pre-2011 rule changes included requiring members to make their requests and the justifications for them public, and requiring them to certify neither they nor their spouses have any financial interest in a particular earmark.
For-profit entities will not be eligible for earmarks and the Government Accountability Office will audit the process by looking at a “sample” of enacted earmarks and submitting a report to Congress.
Members will be capped at submitting 10 earmark requests per fiscal year, though members aren’t guaranteed to get those earmarks included in the annual government funding bills. Lawmakers must provide evidence their communities support the earmarks they submit. And any member submitting a request must post it online at the same time they submit their proposal to the Appropriations Committee.
The House panel plans to create a “one-stop” online portal for all House members' earmarks requests.
The House will continue to require the oversight and transparency restrictions Democrats put in place before the ban took effect in 2011 and add in new rules as well.
The pre-2011 rule changes included requiring members to make their requests and the justifications for them public, and requiring them to certify neither they nor their spouses have any financial interest in a particular earmark.