Is Congress Returning to ‘Regular Order’ In Funding? |
The House of Representatives took a major step toward averting another government shutdown when it passed a funding package Thursday.
But perhaps more importantly, House Freedom Caucus members influenced the process around the bill’s consideration in ways they say could help government spending in the future.
The House’s “minibus” package covers three of the 12 funding areas for the federal government: Energy-Water, Interior-Environment, and Commerce-Justice-Science. Appropriators have attempted to reconcile both chambers’ priorities, and the package will be considered in the Senate next week.
But fiscal hawks within the Republican party took issue with the Commerce-Justice-Science section, alleging it was full of earmarks, or lawmaker-requested funding for specific pet projects.
House Republicans agreed to end the practice of earmarks under conference rules in 2011, but both Democrats and Republicans decided to revive it in the winter of 2021.
One earmark in particular—$1 million in funding backed by Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., for a self-described “youth-led East African recovery organization”—drew the ire of caucus members.
“Earmarks are the currency of corruption, and they’re coming back in full force in these products,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas,........