Earmark Requests Down 37% for FY07
April 5, 2006 02:39 PM
We may be making Trent Lott tired, but data I just received today on the number of earmarks requested by members suggests that we're also making a difference.
The table below, from a Hill source, shows that for FY '07, the overall member requests dropped by 37% --- with every single Appropriations Subcommittee showing a decrease.
This is a single-source item, and so we can't completely vouch for its accuracy, but the source is a very credible one, so it meets my standard to be worth sharing. But assuming the numbers are accurate, they show that the public disgust with Congressional spending is indeed making an impact. So let's keep it up!
| Appropriations Subcommittee | FY '06 | FY '07 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | 2,387 | 1,651 | -736 | 31% reduction |
| Defense | 3,570 | 2,800 | -770 | 22% reduction |
| Energy & Water | 3,572 | 2,957 | -615 | 17% reduction |
| Foreign Operations | 356 | 279 | -77 | 22% reduction |
| Homeland Security | 1,244 | 607 | -637 | 51% reduction |
| Interior & EPA | 3,730 | 1,961 | -1,769 | 47% reduction |
| Labor/HHS/Education | 10,272 | 5,891 | -4,381 | 43% reduction |
| Military Quality of Life/VA | 772 | 700 | -72 | 9% reduction |
| Science/State/Justice/Commerce | 3,391 | 2,597 | -794 | 23% reduction |
| Transportation/Treasury/HUD | 5,393 | 2,420 | -2,973 | 55% reduction |
| TOTAL | 34,687 | 21,863 | -12,824 | 37% reduction |