Opening the Pork Books

Three members of Virginia’s congressional delegation have made public their earmark requests in the new federal budget. This is a positive step, and one that all members who truly believe in open government should follow as soon as possible.

One side note: Earlier this week, I heard a former Appropriations Committee Cardinal say that people shouldn’t waste their time on earmarks. Their real ire should be directed at the 1974 Budget Act, which, it seems, is the taproot of evil. Can’t say that I disagree with any effort to scrap that act. But to gloss-over earmarks — which helped bring down a few congressional Republicans before the 2006 elections — strikes me as cavalier (but not unexpected, coming from the mouth of an old appropriator).

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About the author

Norman Leahy

Norm Leahy has written about Virginia and national politics online since 2002, beginning with One Man's Trash (OMT), and continuing through Bacon's Rebellion (both the blog and the e-zine), Sic Semper Tyrannis, NBC12's Decision Virginia, Richmond.com and Tertium Quids. He is the chief blogger at "The Score" and a producer of "The Score" radio show as well as being a Washington Examiner contributor.