New Earmarks in Omnibus Spending Bill Cost $16 Billion

By Adam Andrzejewski for RealClearPolicy

Congress’ $1.7 trillion omnibus spending invoice to fund the federal government by way of the top of the fiscal yr, Sept. 30, comprises a minimum of $16 billion in earmarks — funding for 7,510 pet tasks in lawmakers’ districts.

These new earmarks pay for tasks that may make lawmakers’ constituents of their house states and districts completely happy, slightly than going to the core features of the federal authorities.

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“In impact, earmarks are authorized bribes doled out to members of Congress in change for his or her assist of those giant, irresponsible spending payments which are rushed by way of with out a lot scrutiny,” Adam Andrzejewski, CEO and Founding father of OpenTheBooks.com, wrote in an opinion piece in The Each day Caller.

For instance, $20,000 will go to improve a Nationwide Park Service toilet in Murphysboro, Illinois.

A $1 million stairway to the seashore in Mondo Cove Seashore, California will permit surfers simpler entry to the waves; the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame and Museum in Cleveland will obtain $1 million; the Common Hip Hop Museum in New York will obtain $2 million; $3 million will go to revive the Irish Heritage Heart in Maine; and $3.75 million will go renovate a Chicago YMCA.

Republicans in red-Texas out-earmarked Democrats $500 million to $300 million, simply as in Florida, the place the state’s Republican caucus out-earmarked the Democrats $445 million to $251 million.

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“It’s time to inform Congress: get again to regular budgeting, not momentary payments full of particular favors,” Andrzejewski wrote. The $1.7 trillion funds is up from about $1.5 trillion within the final fiscal yr.

OpenTheBooks has logged each earmark in a searchable database, exhibiting which congressmember requested how a lot cash and for what venture.

Former Honorary Chairman of OpenTheBooks, U.S. Senator Dr. Tom Coburn, mentioned it finest: “Earmarks are the gateway drug to runaway spending payments.”

Syndicated with permission from RealClearWire.

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