Get the latest BPR news delivered free to your inbox daily. SIGN UP HERE
California Democrats, among others in both parties, are feasting on pork in the latest federal spending spree.
“In a sign of the political potency of such earmarks, many of the most vulnerable House Democrats secured sizable pots of money,” the Los Angeles Times noted.
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden signed a $1.5 trillion, 2,741-page appropriations bill passed by Congress to keep the government open that contains about 500 so-called earmarks for the once Golden State and about 4,000 total across the country with a cost of about $10 billion.
The bill also contains about $14 billion for military, economic, and humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
Earmarks, i.e., lawmakers’ pet projects, were eliminated by the GOP House majority after Republicans retook control of the chamber following the rise of the Tea Party movement in 2010 because of a track record of waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars.
The current Democrat majority in Congress brought them back in 2021 with a new brand: community project funding.
And some might say they are back with a fury.
“The biggest projects in the state’s $766-million pot involve military construction at naval bases in Coronado and Ventura County requested by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.),” the Times reported.
The latest budget bill features an astounding 4,000 “earmarks,” 367 pages long.
Here are 10 of the most absurd #earmarks in the latest spending legislation:https://t.co/mHU4o7jq8e pic.twitter.com/wld1bVDXhI
— 🇺🇸 Lisa 🇺🇸 (@PureBlood4Me) March 15, 2022
“Other undertakings include $15 million to dredge Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, written by Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village); $15 million to replenish beaches from Anaheim Bay to Newport Bay, pushed by Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Seal Beach); and $10 million to stabilize the Coaster commuter rail along the Del Mar Bluffs, led by Feinstein,” the Times continued.
“Other Southern California projects funded in the bill include $2 million to convert a Santa Monica parking structure into affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness, written by Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and $1.5 million for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to buy a high-performance heart MRI scanner.”
🚨🚨🚨
Omnibus Earmarks Thread 🧵👇
(Only a very partial list)
$569,000 for removal of derelict lobster pots.
$605,000 for a greenhouse in NYC (Schumer).
$1,600,000 for development for equitable growth of shellfish aquaculture industry in Rhode Island.
1/x
— Citizens for Renewing America (@amrenewcitizen) March 9, 2022
“Many lawmakers had decided not to request earmarks in this year’s appropriations package, but those who did scooped up big rewards for their constituents,” The Hill explained.
“[Citizens Against Government Waste President Thomas] Schatz noted that the total number of earmarks in the bill is probably lower than how many were included before the earmark ban went into effect 11 years ago ‘in part because a number of members, including a lot of Republicans, have said they’re not taking them,'” The Hill added.
Retiring U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), the ranking member on the Appropriations Committee, reportedly obtained about $550 million for home-state projects, however.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and California GOP colleagues Darrell Issa and Tom McClintock reportedly did not request any earmarks, however. Nor did U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). “Only one House [California] Democrat, Rep. Katie Porter…did not seek to include earmarks in the bill, saying they invite corruption and wasteful backroom deals,” the Times noted.
“Congressional leaders like earmarks because a lawmaker who has a project tucked into a larger bill is more likely to vote yes. Such spending be a potent form of political grease in the complex legislative process,” the news outlet observed.
Last week, after getting approved by the U.S. House, the omnibus bill passed the Senate by a vote of 68 to 31, with all 31 no votes coming from the GOP. McConnell voted yes.
Several high-profile Republicans blasted the inclusion of earmarks, many of which fund far-left initiatives, in the massive legislation.
We should have passed funding for Ukraine 2 weeks ago.
But instead,Democrats held it hostage so it could ram through thousands of earmarks,green new deal programs,the hiring of 10000 IRS agents & other woke priorities buried in thousands of pages.This is a ridiculous process. pic.twitter.com/1SLC91Q2pU— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 11, 2022
Inflation is at a record high, yet the Democrats AND some Republicans, think we can spend our way out of it. They’ve reinstated earmarks, passed nearly $10 BILLION in pork, and want to spend even more. This is beyond irresponsible.
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) March 11, 2022
I'll be voting NO on the massive, bloated spending package chock-full of liberal policies and earmarks that will make inflation worse.
Here's a look at just some of the earmarks tucked in to this wasteful spending bill. pic.twitter.com/jlaNe2WUgR
— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) March 11, 2022
This spending bill has 367 pages' worth of earmarks. I printed it all out to take it to the Senate floor: that's about 4 pounds of pork right here!
Cut every one! pic.twitter.com/o33TpnWrER
— Senator Mike Braun (@SenatorBraun) March 11, 2022
For the 1st time in over a decade, this ‘budget’ includes 1,000s of member earmarks — wasteful pet projects. @SenSchumer alone has 154 earmarks, including $600k for a NYC greenhouse & $3M for Brooklyn museum galleries.
Proud to join @SenatorBraun to fight this reckless spending.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) March 11, 2022
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
[email protected]
Robert Jonathan is a staff writer for BizPac Review. He is a longtime writer/editor for news aggregation websites and has also developed content in the legal and financial publishing sectors as well as for online education. He earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Connecticut School of Law, “a law school the basketball teams can be proud of.”
- ‘Petty heffa’: The View’s Ana Navarro skewered for cracking on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s appearance - December 4, 2022
- Women’s college volleyball game features incredible rally complete with diving, table-crashing safe - December 4, 2022
- Wild brawl breaks out at Fitness Connection gym, takes deciding turn when woman enters picture - December 4, 2022
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
