Even if the full Senate doesn’t pass an earmark moratorium, a refusal by lawmakers to direct funding to their congressional districts will likely give more spending-priority power to the Obama administration and won’t do much to chip away at the federal deficit.
House and Senate Republicans voted behind closed doors during the first week of the lame-duck session in support of two-year bans on earmarks, with Republicans urging Democrats to follow their example.
When lawmakers return from the weeklong Thanksgiving recess, the Senate is expected to vote on, but is unlikely to pass, an amendment to the food safety bill that would implement a three-year earmark ban covering spending by both parties that could provide Republicans with a clearer avenue to block Democrats’ spending projects. For approval, the amendment needs a supermajority of 67 senators.
Full Story: Anti-earmark amendment cedes lawmakers’ powers to White House – The Hill’s On The Money