Inhofe, Boxer Redefine Earmarks for Water Resources

Some congressmen on both sides of the aisle are having trouble reconciling themselves with the idea of a ban on earmarks. So it is that Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and James Inhofe, R-Okla. sent a letter to their colleagues asking them to submit requests for specific projects in the Water Resources Development Act, a multi-year authorization bill, The Hill reports. The letter comes despite a promise from President Barack Obama to veto all bills that contain earmarks. 

Not surprisingly, the two senators didn’t use the word “earmark” in their letter, sent Friday.

“We believe Congress has a constitutional role to play in determining spending priorities for the Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works program,” they wrote.

“Without congressional input, the administration would be the sole voice in setting water resources priorities.”