Some Republicans Rethinking Earmarks

Banning earmarks has represented a popular stance for both Democrats and Republicans during the past few years. But now that conservative GOP congressmen are close to getting their way on the issue, they are having some second thoughts, Politico reports.

“Indeed, many Republicans are now worried that the bridges in their districts won’t be fixed, the tariff relief to the local chemical company isn’t coming, and the water systems might not be built without a little direction from Congress. So some Republicans are discussing exemptions to the earmark ban, allowing transportation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and water projects,” the news service states.

The earmark definition may be changed. “It’s like what beauty is,” says Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn. “Everyone knows what a bridge to nowhere is, or an airport that lands no airplanes, or a statue to you — everyone knows that’s bad. It’s easy to say what an earmark isn’t, rather than what an earmark is.”