Senate Earmarks

Senate Republicans will decide on April 21st to lift their ban on earmarks, as House and Senate Democrats plan to bring them back this year.  The debate could pit long-standing Republican appropriators against spending hawks in the party, along with newer senators, who oppose restoring the practice.  Senate Appropriations Chair Leahy said that if Republicans participate, he would allocate half of the earmarked funds in the Senate to his Republican colleagues.