I wanted to alert you that TCS has released our analysis and database of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations (TCS ANALYSIS OF FY08 SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS BILL) bill as well as updated our earlier analysis of the House Interior Appropriations (TCS ANALYSIS OF 2008 HOUSE INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS BILL) bill.

Some samples:

The Senate DHS appropriations bill had 22 disclosed earmarks, plus one non-disclosed earmark each for Chairman Byrd (D-WV) and Ranking Member Cochran (R-MS). In fact the only earmark that went to a state not represented by an Appropriations Committee member was a lone Coast Guard bridge alteration project in Chelsea, MA for Sens. Kennedy (D-MA) and Kerry (D-MA). The informal Homeland Security appropriations earmark moratorium of old is springing leaks, and I would guess that in the next few Congresses the floodgates may open.

On the Interior bill on the House floor, EPA, Wildfire fighting, and National Parks all got boosts in the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. In addition, there are earmarks for $150,000 Curlee House in Corinth, MS obtained by Rep. Wicker (R-MS) a member of the Appropriations Committee and $150,000 for the Bremerton Public Library in the home town of Rep. Dicks (D-WA) chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. All told there were 321 earmarks worth more than $329 million with 50% going to members of the Appropriations Committee and more than 60% to the majority party.

Some credit is due however. Plain and simple, compared to recent years the number and cost of earmarks are down. We’re still early in the process, but if the Democrats keep on this earmark pace they may meet their goal of cutting the cost and number of earmarks in half. We’ll be watching.