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Earmark Reform

Corporations and special interests should not be able to buy favors from Congress. All too often, spending bills passed by Congress put public funds to work for specific projects that reward the businesses and individuals that give the most money to congressional campaigns. These specific appropriations – called earmarks – should be limited to projects that serve the public interest, not doled out to enrich private interests at the public’s expense.

More Resources on Earmark Reform

Fact Sheet: Five Principles of Earmark Reform (PDF), November 10, 2010
Proposed Earmark / Pay-to-Play Reform Bill (PDF), November 10, 2010
Press Release: Bipartisan Coalition of Lobbyists and Advocates Announces Commonsense Earmark Reform Principles, September 28, 2010
Press Release: Obama Strengthens Restrictions on Lobbying for Earmarks in the Stimulus Package, May 29, 2009
Opinion Article: " 'Bridges to Nowhere' Are No More," by Craig Holman, Roll Call, January 22, 2008
Press Release: Public Citizen Urges Congress to Pass Ground-Breaking Package of Lobbyist Fundraising, Earmark and Other Key Reforms, July 30, 2007
Press Release: Architects of an Earmark: The Story of the RPSEA Rip-Off, January 17, 2007
Press Release: Congress Can and Should Stop Industry-Sponsored Boondoggles From Being Slipped Into Bills, January 17, 2007
Press Release: Ney’s Plea Underscores Need for Lobbying Reform, Inadequacy of House of Representatives’ Earmark Disclosure Rules Change, September 15, 2006
Press Release: House GOP Leaders Apparently Not Serious About Earmark Reform, September 13, 2006
Letter: GOP Earmark Reform Proposal is Woefully Inadequate (PDF), September 13, 2006

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