Gimme more: earmark free-for-all.

• Author: Mangu-Ward, Katherine
• Position: Federal budget procedure - Brief article

SINCE DEMOCRATS took control of Congress nearly a year ago, both parties have stepped up their rhetoric about ending the practice of earmarking--sending federal money back to home states and districts for pet projects. New rules in the House require all earmarks to be compiled in a list that accompanies each bill, and congressmen must attach their name to each of their proposed projects.

But even with those new disclosure requirements, earmarks are as popular as ever, with 6,500 earmarks totaling almost $11 billion in this cycle. Apparently, when every congressman knows exactly how much his colleagues have managed to score for their home districts, that just makes the competition...