It is hard to believe that House Republicans are serious about banning earmarks when Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA), the chairwoman of the House Republican’s earmark reform task force has herself asked for 35 earmarks worth over $120 million for the upcoming fiscal year, according to Roll Call (subscription).
Several other Republicans who, like Rodgers, had given up making earmark requests last year are now requesting them again – including Dave Reichert (WA), Nathan Deal (GA), Joe Wilson (SC), Judy Biggert (IL), Todd Platts (PA) and Trent Franks (AZ). Franks is seeking more than $373 million in projects, Wilson’s requests total more than $117 million, and Reichert is seeking more than $93 million.
Rodgers’ task force report is now two and half months overdue.