«--Previous Post | Blog Index | Next Post--»
Introducing the "Soft Earmark"
Color me better informed.
With great fanfare, Congress adopted strict ethics rules last year requiring members to disclose when they steered federal money to pet projects. But it turns out lawmakers can still secretly direct billions of dollars to favored organizations by making vague requests rather than issuing explicit instructions to government agencies in committee reports and spending bills. That seeming courtesy is the difference between "soft earmarks" and the more insistent "hard earmarks."
How much money is requested for any specific project? It is difficult to say, since price tags are not included with soft earmarks. Who is the sponsor? Unclear, unless the lawmaker later acknowledges it. Purpose of the spending? Usually not provided.
How to spot a soft earmark? Easy. The language is that of a respectful suggestion: A committee "endorses" or notes it "is aware" of deserving programs and "urges" or "recommends" that agencies finance them.
The annual cost of these soft earmarks is not known, though the Congressional Research Service found more than $3 billion in soft earmark expenses in one of Congress's 13 spending bills from 2006. More, after the jump...
Soft earmarks are included in a number of spending measures, but they tend to occur more frequently in spending bills that give money to the State Department, the United States Agency for International Development and other foreign aid programs.
Federal agencies are not required to finance soft earmarks. However, officials have traditionally felt obliged to comply with such requests.
"Soft earmarks, while not legally binding, frequently come with an implicit threat: If you don’t take our suggestions, we will give you a hard earmark next," said Andrew Natsios, former administrator of A.I.D. in the Bush administration.
In its report, the Congressional Research Service said agencies also could face budget cuts if they did not finance soft earmarks.
Mr. Natsios said two lawmakers once threatened to cut his budget if he did not pay for one of their requests. He declined to identify them.
You can see the worst earmarkers here, and some bad Democrats here and here. The good government platform that would help clean up this mess is here.
Comments
Christian Science Monitor seemed to be saying that the whole earmark 'reform' issue appeared to be nothing more than Congressional window-dressing, in this article from last October:
www.csmonitor.com/2007/1005/p01s01-uspo.html
The result of it all seemed to be that pork spending moved even farther out of public sight.
ARCHIVE
August 10, 2008 - August 16, 2008
August 3, 2008 - August 9, 2008
July 27, 2008 - August 2, 2008
April 20, 2008 - April 26, 2008
April 13, 2008 - April 19, 2008
April 6, 2008 - April 12, 2008
March 30, 2008 - April 5, 2008
March 23, 2008 - March 29, 2008
March 16, 2008 - March 22, 2008
March 9, 2008 - March 15, 2008
February 24, 2008 - March 1, 2008
February 17, 2008 - February 23, 2008
February 10, 2008 - February 16, 2008
February 3, 2008 - February 9, 2008
January 27, 2008 - February 2, 2008
January 20, 2008 - January 26, 2008
January 13, 2008 - January 19, 2008
January 6, 2008 - January 12, 2008
December 30, 2007 - January 5, 2008
December 23, 2007 - December 29, 2007
December 16, 2007 - December 22, 2007
RECENT COMMENTS
Partition in Iraq: A Serious Problem With Biden as VP? (25)
Frank Thomas Smith wrote:
Biden's plan is *not* partition. Partition is what happene...
[more]
McCain's Bizarre Undiscovered Foreign Policy Ideas (12)
Drunk Philosopher wrote:
To Jim, quote: "The "insightful" Zakaria calls Iran and No...
[more]
The Campaign Goes Christian (3)
Sharon wrote:
Vote for Ralph Nader for real change. Obama is a hypocrite...
[more]
The Rooskies Are Out to Get Us! (6)
Emphyrio wrote:
5. They think it's the state of Georgia where the Atlanta ...
[more]
Troops Abroad Give to Obama 6:1 (2)
Jeugenen wrote:
LIBERAL OBAMA OR NEO-CON/NEO-LIB MC-CAIN
The political st...
[more]
Speedo's $600 Swimsuits: Made in America, Bought by China (45)
Brandon wrote:
Tech has not gone too far. This is simply another geegaw ...
[more]
Why is HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt Blogging About Abortion? (1)
PeaceNick wrote:
I think what Secretary Leavitt and the Bush administration...
[more]
Under for Fire for Pastor's Remarks, Obama To Give Major Speech on Race (11)
Acomplia wrote:
Generic Acomplia is an Anti Obesity Drug that is Best Weig...
[more]
Responding to MoJo, Huckabee Campaign Explains Difference Between Homosexuality and Necrophilia (19)
dış cephe wrote:
teşekürler....
[more]
Ginsburg's Famous White Gloves Finally Come Off (21)
dış cephe wrote:
teşekürler....
[more]
RSS
Feed
Movable Type 3.33
Posted by: DrooliusSneezer@yahoo.com on 04/09/08 at 9:17 AM Respond