This week it’s all about earmarks!  Here is a quick run-through of some of the most interesting blogs published this week on the subject.  Feel free to check out Wikipedia for a concise description of “earmarks [1]” and “pork barrel spending [2].” CNN describes earmarks as, “…requests for money by a specific legislator, usually for his constituency, added onto often unrelated government spending bills [3].” 

Yesterday, the Senate overwhelmingly voted against a proposal to place a ban on “earmark” spending for one year. CNN reported the following: 

Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama voted in favor of the amendment.  [4]  [5]

"We're disappointed that only 29 members of the U.S. Senate understand that the American people want us to stop this practice, which has led to corruption," McCain said. [6]

Over at OMB Watch Dana Chasin posted a quick bit on earmarks and their supposed negative affect on scientific research.  Chasin quotes the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy [7]: 

“Research earmarks—in general the assignment of money during the legislative process for use by a specific organization or project—are counter to a merit-based competitive selection process that has been a hallmark of American scientific prowess since the post World War II era. However, over the past 20 years, the number of earmarks has risen dramatically and threatens to undermine a vital process underpinning U.S. scientific greatness. [8]” 

On the Club for Growth blog, Andrew Roth offers up some interesting news about pork barrel spending [9].  He begins his piece with the following: “Lawmakers are starting to swear off earmarks faster than I can type these words.”  According to Roth, Dem. Rep. Jim Cooper is planning to cut out pork barrel spending, which is pretty significant considering that he has a record on the issue: 

“Cooper is the 4th House Democrat to swear off pork, and the 29th House member overall. Welcome to the "Just Say No to Pork" coalition, Rep. Cooper! [10]” 

And over at Americans for Prosperity grassroots members of the organization are asking for a swift ban on earmarks [11]: 

“This halt to earmarks would help lawmakers on Capitol Hill refocus our national spending priorities and allow meaningful earmark reform to take root. [12]”