House Republicans defend use of earmarks as Congress passes spending bills with $13 billion of pork

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Just the News

House Republican lawmakers who advocate for reducing federal spending to bring down the budget deficit are defending the use of earmarks as Congress passes a spending package that include $13 billion of them.

"When Democrats are in control, if we don't have the opportunity for our elected representatives to weigh in on these types of issues, then we're sending our tax dollars to Washington, D.C. and bureaucrats are deciding where it goes," said Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Ind., during an interview with Just the News.

Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, said he's thankful for the earmarks process, which is now formally titled, "Community Project Funding," noting that his "district was not being serviced at all" when earmarks were banned prior to 2021.

There were about 6,000 earmarks taking up 605 pages in the minibus spending package that passed. The package contains 6 appropriations bills.