Critics criticize $22B earmarks in 2024 budget.
The latest fiscal year 2024 edition of the “Pig Book” was recently released by the government watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW). This report sheds light on what they deem as the most egregious examples of pork barrel spending by the government.
The announcement of the “Pig Book” took place just off Capitol Hill, where anti-earmark lawmakers gathered to provide their reactions and insights into CAGW President Tom Schatz’s findings on government spending.
During the event, Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., a member of the House Budget Committee, criticized earmarks as a way for lawmakers to essentially steal funds from one place to benefit another. He highlighted the absurdity of earmarks, pointing out that it forces taxpayers from different communities to foot the bill for projects that their own local governments deemed unworthy of funding.
McClintock also raised concerns about the growing U.S. national debt, noting that interest payments now exceed the Pentagon’s defense spending for the first time in history. He warned that countries that become financially bankrupt often face dire consequences.
Schatz shared some key findings from the “Pig Book,” revealing a total of 8,222 earmarks in the past fiscal year, amounting to $22.7 billion. The report highlighted Alaska, Maine, Hawaii, the Northern Mariana Islands territory, and West Virginia as the top recipients of earmarks.
One significant earmark that drew criticism was a $1.75 million appropriation for “public plaza security upgrades” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, which has assets totaling $5 billion. Schatz called out New York Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand for championing this unnecessary expenditure.
In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for Gillibrand defended the funding, highlighting the importance of enhancing security at the MET due to its status as a cultural landmark.
Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., echoed concerns about earmarks, pointing out wasteful allocations such as a $17.5 million earmark for the Eisenhower Presidential Library and $36 million earmarked to combat “underwater pests.”
Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., raised questions about the fiscal responsibility of both parties, revealing that a significant number of Democrats and Republicans requested earmarks in the fiscal year 2024. He emphasized the need for greater accountability and prudent fiscal management to address the mounting national debt.
Good highlighted the ineffectiveness of earmarks in achieving tangible results and criticized the practice of using earmarks to secure votes for unpopular bills. He underscored the public’s disillusionment with Congress, reflected in its low approval ratings.
CAGW’s “Pig Book” also identified numerous broadband internet-related earmarks, arguing that there is no justification for allocating additional funds to broadband expansion when existing federal programs already serve underserved communities.
Among the earmarks listed in the report were allocations for the Sugarcane Research Unit in Louisiana, funding for NOAA operations and research, and appropriations for collegiate studies and projects.
The release of the “Pig Book” serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater transparency and accountability in government spending. It underscores the importance of responsible fiscal management and the prudent allocation of taxpayer funds to ensure the long-term financial health of the nation.
