Pork-barrel legislation

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Pork-barrel legislation is legislation that brings a federal program to a particular Congressman's district. Pork Barrel legislation also known as just "Pork" or Earmark, is a treasure chest of unscrutinized spending. None of it is in any budget nor is it requested by specific federal agencies and therefore considered wasteful of tax-payers dollars.

More often it is added at the closing minutes to larger bills such as Labor/Heath & Human Services Bill or to Emergency War Funds. Since Pork Barrel is not a traditional government expense presented for approval by congressional committee, billions of taxpayer's money can be spent. [1] Some bills exceed $20 Billion in Pork.

  • $25 million by 30 House members for the National Writing Project
  • $150,000 for the American Ballet Theatre in New York.

Or other recent Pork Barrel spending

  • $74 million for peanut storage [2]
  • $320 million for a bridge in Alaska dubbed "The Bridge To Nowhere"

The politicians claim that there is scrutiny and "it can be cut out at any time.". [3] The fact remains, it is nearly impossible to derail lawmakers from these 'bad' spending practices.



  1. ↑ http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200807/POL20080707a.html , CNSNews Congress Loads Bill With $277 Million in 'Pork, July 7, 2008
  2. ↑ http://www.examiner.com/a-619204~Congress_loads_up__20_billion_in_pork.html , The Examiner, Congress loads up $20 billion in pork, March 14, 2007
  3. ↑ http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200807/POL20080707a.html , CNSNews Congress Loads Bill With $277 Million in 'Pork, July 7, 2008
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