Congress is set to pass a $1.5 trillion (TRILLION) omnibus spending package this week, and as you might expect, when there is so much money packed into one bill, a lot of it goes to waste.
According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, normally, Congress passes 12 separate spending bills for specific issues (defense, homeland security, transportation, etc). But when Congressional leadership is dysfunctional and the process is broken, they just say “screw it” and roll everything into one giant Omnibus bill.
What happens next is entirely too predictable. According to The Hill:
The $1.5 trillion, 2,741-page omnibus spending package is loaded with funding for lawmaker pet projects, some of which could help incumbents in this fall’s elections.
The legislation includes more than 4,000 earmarks, according to a list of projects provided to The Hill by a Senate Republican aide that spanned 367 pages.
Among the pork are scores of ridiculous earmarks, including these spotted by Americans for Tax Reform:
- $3,000,000 for the “Palo Alto History Museum”
- $800,000 for “artist lofts” in Pamona, CA
- $500,000 for a ski jump in New Hampshire
- $1.6 million for “Equitable Growth of Shellfish Aquaculture Industry in Rhode Island”
- $2,000,000 for “Reducing Inequity in Access to Solar Power” in Delaware
Take Action
Should Congress have to balance their budget, just like the rest of us? Pick up the phone and let them know! Use our Resources directory to get in touch with your Senators and find groups who can help you make a difference.
For more ridiculous earmarks, visit ATR.org
