
I confess, I like earmarks
CNN
Former Rep. Charlie Dent writes that Congress should bring back earmarks because they increase the likelihood of bipartisan efforts on future pieces of legislation. When members can negotiate for district or state-specific assistance to be written into a major bill, they are predisposed to vote for the bill.
The practice ended in 2011 after the Tea Party won a number of seats in Congress and reports surfaced of congressmen abusing the earmark system. Members lobbying for wasteful projects like Alaska's "bridge to nowhere" -- a $223 million earmark buried inside a federal transportation bill in 2005 -- certainly didn't help matters.
5 things to know for March 16: War with Iran, Oscar winners, Travel chaos, Severe weather, US airmen
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The retirement of Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin after nearly 30 years in office sparked an expensive three-way Democratic primary that has showcased the party’s divisions over how to confront President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and introduced pro-crypto forces as an influence seeking to shape the midterm elections. The contest is also setting up a test of Gov. JB Pritzker’s political clout in the state as he eyes a potential 2028 presidential bid.











