House Republicans Lift Ban on Appropriations “Earmarks”

On Wednesday, the House Republican caucus voted to participate in House Democrats’ plans to allow each Member of Congress to submit up to ten “community project funding” requests (also known as ‘earmarks’) for fiscal year 2022 funding bills.  Many Republicans believe they would be at a huge disadvantage if they decided not to participate in earmarks while Democrats reaped the rewards of the spending practice.  Such proposed spending practices have specified limits and transparency requirements.  Congress banned earmarks ten years ago, and the Senate has not said yet whether it will participate this year or not.  However, earmark proponents have argued that allowing lawmakers to ensure money for specific projects would restore power to the legislative branch and shift it away from the executive branch.