COCHRAN, STEVENS TOP CONGRESSIONAL EARMARKERS
posted by Keith Ashdown, 202-546-8500 ext. 110
December 4, 2007
Senators Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Ted Stevens (R-AK) are at the top of the list for Washington earmarkers, according to a review of the latest version of each of the 12 spending bills for 2008.
Obviously, with only the Defense Spending bill being signed into law by the President, there is much that can still happen. But with the total number of projects that we are seeing in the Senate versions of the spending bills, it is becoming clear that the Senate and some House Appropriators didn’t get the memo on fiscal responsibility sent from leadership in both parties earlier this year.
In fact, Sen. Cochran is the undisputed earmark king with $774M in earmarks. Sen. Steven is not far behind with more than $500M, and Sen. Inouye (D-HI) rounds out the top three with more than $450M. Not to be outdone, in the House you have the three earmark amigos. It's hard to see the difference between Reps. Jack Murtha (D-PA), Bill Young (R-FL) and Jerry Lewis (R-CA). They all top $150 million easily and no one else is close to that.
Clearly, any prediction of the demise of the earmark is premature. While Republicans are quick to decry Democratic over-spending, they are all to willing to show up hat in hand in the earmark line.
Take a look at a great stroy on this subject from The Hill. |
