House Speaker Paul Ryan successfully urged his fellow Republicans to put off a Wednesday vote that would have brought back the practice of earmarking.
According to The Hill, three Republican lawmakers introduced the measure. Ryan, however, was able to persuade them to hold off the vote until next year, presumably after President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
"After a long debate, it was clear there's a lot of pent-up frustration with ceding spending authority to the Executive Branch," an anonymous source told The Hill. "Based on the comments by members, it was likely that an earmark amendment would have passed. Ultimately, the speaker stepped in and urged that we not make this decision today."
The House Republican Conference would have voted on the measure Wednesday during leadership elections. Ryan was reelected speaker by his GOP colleagues Tuesday.
"[Ryan] said we just had a 'drain the swamp' election and cannot turn right around and bring back earmarks behind closed doors," the source told The Hill.
Under the proposal, earmarks would be allowed in certain circumstances.
Rep. Pete King, R-N.Y., told Politico on Tuesday he is in favor of earmarks, which are tacked onto pieces of legislation and allocate money for local projects put forth by lawmakers.
"I'm a New York hack, I support earmarks," King said. "I came out of an organization, I believe in that type of politics, but I'm the wrong guy to ask. I'm not the moral guardian of the conference."
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