'''Earmark''' is ''"any identifying or distinguishing mark or characteristic".'' As a legislative provision, it is the power of Congress to direct funds to be spent on specific named projects (i. e. projects or a particular person or a cause, in the home districts of sponsoring members) and passed without examination. Earmark allows Federal agencies to bypass regulatory determinations. Some earmarks become controversial for the perceived frivolous nature of the project. | '''Earmark''' is ''"any identifying or distinguishing mark or characteristic".'' As a legislative provision, it is the power of Congress to direct funds to be spent on specific named projects (i. e. projects or a particular person or a cause, in the home districts of sponsoring members) and passed without examination. Earmark allows Federal agencies to bypass regulatory determinations. Some earmarks become controversial for the perceived frivolous nature of the project. |