Even the entreaties of the three senators running for president weren’t enough to persuade their colleagues Thursday to curb their appetite for earmarks ” the practice of designating federal dollars for pet projects.
Senators soundly rejected a one-year moratorium backed by the presidential hopefuls ” Republican John McCain and Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton ” even though it put senators from both parties at odds with their presidential contenders.
The vote ” 29 in favor of the proposal, 71 opposed ” again demonstrated the enduring popularity of earmarks, even though they have figured prominently in recent congressional scandals, including one that landed former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham of Rancho Santa Fe in prison.
It also underscored the conflicting political interests of the presidential candidates ” who see a strong stand against earmarks as a way to show fiscal discipline ” and their Senate colleagues who see bringing home the bacon as a way to show constituents they are getting something back for their taxes.
Senate Rejected the Pork Moratorium, 29-71
Posted by Pam
on 3/14/2008
2 Comments.
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With the demacrook party in charge they will never ever halt the pork spending=:)