With President-elect Joe Biden set to take office in January, Democrats are readying to bring back a staple of former President Barack Obama’s legislative legacy: earmarks and pork barrel projects.
“Democrats are hoping to reinstate so-called earmarks, or special perks tucked into larger spending bills that benefit a specific recipient, such as a congressional district or institution,” the Los Angeles Times wrote. “While the practice has been abused in the past, it has also been credited with easing the passage of important legislation by offering targeted incentives to win the support of key lawmakers.”
Libs admit they LOVE pork! pic.twitter.com/wFUwBfZnJA
— Andrew Follett (@AndrewCFollett) November 30, 2020
“Libs admit they LOVE pork,” joked Andrew Follett, a senior analyst at the Club for Growth, on Twitter in reaction to the Los Angeles Times article about the party’s future agenda.
Earmarks became a staple of the Obama administration’s early years despite the former president’s stated desire to end the practice. During a signing of a $410 billion government funding bill in 2009, Obama lamented the use of earmarks to get the package through.
“I am signing an imperfect … bill because it’s necessary for the ongoing functions of government, and we have a lot more work to do. We can’t have Congress bogged down at this critical juncture in our economic recovery,” Obama said at the time.
Obama then laid out a plan to reform earmarks, saying it was time to make the process more transparent and give the public a chance for feedback on projects that are approved.
“Let there be no doubt: This piece of legislation must mark an end to the old way of doing business and the beginning of a new era of responsibility and accountability,” Obama said.
Despite Obama’s message and efforts at reform, 2010 government spending resulted in another $11 billion being shuffled away to various projects because of earmarks.
With Republicans picking up at least a dozen seats in the House after the 2020 election, Democrats will be facing a much slimmer majority than expected when Biden and the new Congress are sworn into office. The use of earmarks could be an enticing option for Democrats looking to pass Biden’s legislative agenda, seducing on-the-fence lawmakers with funds that go directly to their districts.
But spending taxpayer dollars that way doesn’t come without risks for Democrats. After two years of Democrats in control of the government, the Republican Party rode a Tea Party wave into the House majority during the 2010 midterm election, mostly due to voter frustrations with government spending.
Republicans see a similar opportunity ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.
“Republicans might not be happy over the presidential election, but we are poised to take back the House and are likely going to do very well with redistricting,” said GOP strategist Ron Bonjean. “Additionally, the party was able to attract a sizable amount of Hispanic and Latino voters as well.”
