Members of Congress requested almost 40,000 earmarks worth more than $100 billion directed to their home districts and states for the current fiscal year, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis to be released Tuesday.
As Congress attempts to finalize appropriations legislation through next September, the new database shows that there remains a relentless bipartisan appetite for projects from coast to coast — whether it’s the $5 million Sen. Bill Nelson sought for an engineering project at the University of South Florida, the $1 million requested by Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) to develop soybeans resistant to a problematic pest, the $160,000 that Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) sought for a local Boys and Girls Club in Sacramento or the $2 million for a new transit transfer center in Lafayette called for by Sen. DickLugar (R-Ind.).
Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), for instance, sought 51 earmarks worth more than $358 million.
When the new Congress convenes in January, it’ll be a much tougher climate in which to win backing for pet projects.
The database also shows Inouye sought 195 earmarks worth $815 million, while the top Republican on the committee, Thad Cochran of Mississippi, requested 712 earmarks worth $2.5 billion.
In spending measures that went into law the previous year, Inouye’s and Cochran’s earmarks were prevalent — with the Mississippi Republican securing 252 earmarks worth nearly $500 million and Inouye racking up $392 million for his state, according to a separate analysis done by Taxpayers for Common Sense.
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