Senate Republicans are divided on whether or not to embrace the return of eartags, as the caucus leans toward concerns about shortages under the Biden administration.
With House Republicans voting last week to join Congressional Democrats in supporting the return of federal spending, allowing members to secure money for specific projects at home, the Senate Republican Conference is now the odd man out. Capitol Hill.
But there are sharp dividing lines on the way forward, with conservatives pledging to fight any decision by the leadership to return to the earmarks, and the supreme assignors indicating their willingness to rejoin.
‘I don’t know, it’s controversial here. We have people with strong opinions on both sides, ”Senate Minority Whip John Thune
John Randolph ThuneSenate Republicans Torn Over Ear Tag Returns Small Towns Worry Over FBI Redefining Metro Areas GOP Legislature Introduces Bill Focusing on Technical Liability Protection MORE (RS.D.) said when asked what his colleagues would do in the wake of the House’s decision.
Minority leader in the Senate Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden’s Next Act: Massive Infrastructure Plan With Tax Hikes Senate Republicans Torn Over Ear Tag Returns The Memo: Trump Fights To Stay Relevant MORE (R-Ky.), In a recent interview with Fox News, indicated that members of its caucus would take a hard line and said ear tags were “very unpopular among Republicans.”
‘I think we are very unmotivated. There may be some Republicans interested in that kind of what is called Congressional Spending. It doesn’t have much support among Republicans, ”McConnell said.
McConnell previously advocated ear tags, but warned that now, on behalf of the entire caucus, there was widespread opposition. The Senate GOP banned ear tags in 2010, while Democrats followed suit in 2011 under pressure from then-President Obama and House Republicans who, amid growing concerns about the deficit, had focused on the pet projects.
McConnell’s assessment is supported by conservatives in the caucus, who warn their colleagues against embracing what they see as wasteful spending. The caucus voted in 2019 to permanently ban ear tags after an earlier moratorium ended.
Her. Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward Cruz The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden’s Next Act: Massive Infrastructure Plan With Tax Hikes Senate Republicans Torn Over Ear Tag Return Trump Steps Up Activities, Alleges Power Within GOP MORE (R-Texas) called House Republicans’ decision to lift the ban on eartags a “grave mistake” and “a shame.”
“Ear tags played a major role in the out-of-control spending we have in Washington, and they play a major role in entrenching the swamp,” Cruz told reporters.
Conservatives have been sending out warning signs for weeks to wire their opposition to ear tags recall.
Cruz was one of dozens of Congressional Republicans who sent a letter to House Democrats and Senate Credit Committees earlier this month urging them not to return ear tags, saying that ear tags had been “ rejected as corrupt and wasteful. ” and that it was a “Serious error.”
A group of GOP senators also introduced legislation to permanently ban ear tags.
Her. Ron Johnson
Ronald (Ron) Harold Johnson Senate Republicans Torn Over Earmark Returns Democrats Look At Georgia’s Model Prior to 2022 Senate Ron Johnson Racing Over His Previous False Claim That Greenland Was Once Green: ‘I Have No Idea’ MORE (R-Wis.), One of the bill’s co-sponsors, said he was “surprised” that House Republicans agreed to allow ear tags.
‘They shouldn’t have done it. … That’s not the right direction to go, ”said Johnson.
But support for spending returns is growing around Capitol Hill because of the belief that they can help buy-in for large bills amid a growing congressional gridlock.
House Democrats announced last month that they would officially bring back ear tags, but there will be restrictions, including a limit on the number a member can apply for, a requirement that they post it online, and a ban on members asking for money if they have a financial relationship with a project.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations Patrick Leahy
Patrick Joseph Leahy Senate Republicans Torn Over Ear Tags Return Lobbyists Eager To Return To Ear Tags Bottom Line MORE (D-Vt.) Indicated he was also interested in resuming the practice – with or without Republicans.
‘I am perfectly willing to have certain expenses. It wouldn’t be that much money. I am perfectly willing to split it evenly between Republicans and Democrats. And so it’s up to them if they want it, ”Leahy said.
‘If they don’t, we’re just talking on the democratic side. But I think plenty of them would like it on both sides, ”he added.
Some Republicans have indicated that they are open to allowing ear tags, with some caveats.
Her. Susan Collins
Susan Margaret Collins Senate Republicans Torn Over Earmark Returns Conclusion Meet the Make the Senate Great Again caucus MORE (Maine), a moderate GOP senator and credit committee member, recently told reporters she would be open to bringing back eartags.
“The key with conference-driven spending is that it has to be posted. The names of the sponsor must be included. It shouldn’t be broadcast at a conference, ”said Collins.
“Why Congress ever wanted to give away its spending power to people who are unelected and not responsible for these decisions is beyond me,” she added.
Her. Richard Shelby
Richard Craig Shelby The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden’s Next Act: Massive Infrastructure Plan With Tax Hikes Senate Republicans Torn Over Ear Tag Return Mo Brooks Launches Bid For Senate In Alabama MORE (Ala.), The top Republican on the Credit Committee, is in talks with Leahy about how it would work. He said it was “a given” that congressional spending previously helped facilitate the passage of government funding bills, but warned Congress would have to be careful not to “misuse” them.
“It should only be meritorious, substantive in nature,” Shelby said. “If you find really good projects that are meaningful to different states and their communities, that’s different. But I think you should look at the merits. ”
“I think we have a constitutional right to do that,” added Shelby, “to control the money.”