[ UPDATED Senator McConnell has officially come out against earmarks:“Today, I am announcing that I will join the Republican leadership in the House in support of a moratorium on earmarks in the 112th Congress,” he said].
Original post
Senator Mitch McConnell (R- KY) is said to be working to undermine an effort at banning earmarks in the US Senate. This is not surprising. Senators, as a rule, abuse the privilege more. And while appropriations of this nature amount to a fraction of the total budget, it is an impressive fraction that rarely serves the interests of anyone more than the Seantor themselves.
Was it Carol Shea-Porter, 2012 congressional candidate in waiting who said that earmarks are necessary so that the state can get back it’s fair share of the federal taxes it’s residents pay? Or was that Hodes? Does it matter? Sure, congressman abuse them as well, even those who swear they have sworn them off.