Last Friday the Senate passed a so-called minibus (versus an omnibus) that had spending for eight government departments.  Unlike the past few bills that were short-term Continuing Resolutions (CRs), last week’s bill funded eight departments and lasts through the current fiscal year that runs to October 1.  The eight budgets in the minibus were: Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Interior, Transportation, Housing, Justice, Commerce and Energy.  In addition to these departmental bills the legislation contained 6000 earmarks that had been requested by Members of the House and Senate totaling $12B in spending. Earmarks have been a bone of contention since the days I worked in Congress.  While some hate them as “pork barrel” politics, others believe it is better to have local spending determined by local officials versus government bureaucrats. 

The Senate Republicans have a non-binding rule that earmarks should be avoided, yet 17 Republican Senators got earmarks for programs in their states to get money.  Senator Rick Scott of Florida led the effort to try to take out the earmarks.  However, if the amendment had passed it likely would have caused a government shutdown over the weekend as it would have required the House to return to DC and pa...

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