An unsavory refrain that has been kicked around on Capitol Hill mere weeks after the 2016 elections has to do with the banning of earmarks--a line-item provision added to appropriations … READ MORE
Earmarks
Earmarks: Addictive at their Best, Criminal at their Worst
On the topic of earmarks (which are currently banned), Paul Ryan’s official website declares that Under the watch of both political parties, Congress grew addicted to the practice of pork-barrel … READ MORE
What One Current and One Former Senator Are Doing to Help Young Americans
Last week, former Senator Tom Coburn held an event to introduce our organization, Pursuit. The event included a special guest, Senator James Lankford (R-OK). The event was widely attended by … READ MORE
Earmarks Helped Create America’s “Infrastructure Deficit”
President Trump used his recent State of the Union address to make a case for a substantial investment in infrastructure. One word he wisely did not use was “earmark.” Earmarks … READ MORE
Paul Ryan’s Test
Recently boosted by the off-the-cuff remarks from President Trump, the debate over bringing back earmarks is picking up steam on Capitol Hill. But, if earmarks are going to be restored, … READ MORE
The Story of Rep. Phil Burton: Parks, Pork, and Political Power
The following is an excerpt from Parked!, a 2013 report from the office of Senator Tom Coburn about Congress’s misplaced priorities that have led to a massive maintenance backlog at … READ MORE
Congressmen Use Founding Fathers to Justify “Favor Factory” for the Well-Connected
This week, the House Rules Committee held hearings about potentially bringing back earmarks, or as many members like to call them, “congressionally directed spending.” Few points were made more than … READ MORE
What if Earmarkers had Jobs in the Real World?
The House is holding hearings this week about the return of the earmarking process. People in the pro-earmark camp will roll out flimsy defenses such as, “the power of the … READ MORE