House Democrats won't restore 'earmarks'
WASHINGTON — Democrats controlling the House have announced that they won't restore the much-criticized practice of "earmarking" federal funds for back-home projects that Republicans banned eight years ago.
House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey — who wants to restore the practice — announced the decision in a letter to her colleagues, saying there isn't a "bipartisan, bicameral agreement" to bring earmarks back.
Earmarks used to include grants for community development projects, roads, university grants, and help for home-district military contractors, among others. But critics thought too many projects went to a handful of powerful lawmakers and fostered a "pay to play" culture in which campaign contributions were often solicited from lobbyists and others who sought earmarks.
Lowey, D-N.Y., said she is "a strong proponent of congressionally-directed spending" and hopes to start a bipartisan dialogue on restoring earmarks, which was banned after Republicans took the House in 2011.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/house-democrats-wont-restore-earmarks/ar-BBUguY8?li=BBnbfcL
