Understanding Earmarks

Granted under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the power to direct appropriations of money drawn from the national treasury.  This includes the power to "earmark" funds it appropriates to specifically designated projects. 

• The earmarking process is handled by both the House and Senate appropriations committees and subcommittees.  For Members of Congress, earmarking is a way to secure funding for projects in their districts for their constituents. 



• Earmarking specifically allows for projects to be funded without going through regulatory matters; earmarks are simply "tacked onto" appropriations and authorizing legislation such as agriculture or labor, health and human services, and education appropriations bills.



• Instead of applying for competitive federal grants or waiting for disbursement of funds determined in complex national bills, earmarks allow for universities, cities, and constituents to receive the funds they need directly.



• Securing earmarks allows Members of Congress, some of whom may not exercise too much control on the national stage, to take credit for distributing funds directly to their constituents and local communities.



• Earmarks can be also used as bargaining chips for appropriations committee and subcommittee chairs in exchange for certain members' votes on pending legislation. 



• For FY2005, the total dollar amount dedicated to earmarks was close to $47 billion. Examples of earmarks include funds to universities for special programs or facilities, or to cities for energy and water development projects. (Congressional Research Service Memorandum, 2006)



• Sometimes referred to as "pork-barrel spending," earmarking has become increasingly denounced by critics of the practice.  Critics cite the fact that earmarks have risen from just over 4,000 in FY1994 to nearly 15,000 in FY2005 (Congressional Research Service Memorandum, 2006). 



• In January 2007, amid protests on the extensive use of earmarks and calls for ethics reform, the House passed a rule requiring that all Congressmen attach their names to an earmark requests and indicate that they have no financial interest in their provisions.

How to secure an earmark:

• Get support from a Member of Congress; only Members of Congress can request appropriations earmarks.



• Fill out questionnaire and return to Member of Congress – Many subcommittees now require that requests be made in the form of a completed questionnaire, which many times includes a brief description of what the funds will be used for, the amount of funding sought, the justification for funding and a listing of other funding sources.



• Ask the supporting Member of Congress to express support for the earmark to relevant appropriations subcommittees.



• Make sure earmark request meets deadline – All requests are generally due in early spring, several weeks before the subcommittees markup legislation.

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