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The Conversation USA

The 'gateway drug to corruption and overspending' is returning to Congress – but are earmarks really that bad?

  • Written by Diana Evans, Professor of Political Science, Trinity College
imageA controversial way that Congress spends money is returning, after being banned almost a decade ago.Liu Jie/Xinhua via Getty Images

Congressional earmarks – otherwise known as “pork barrel spending” – may be coming back.

For decades, earmarks paid for pet projects back in lawmakers’ districts, with the tacit aim to...

Read more: The 'gateway drug to corruption and overspending' is returning to Congress – but are earmarks...

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