Pulled Pork Act: Should Congress be Prohibited From Bringing Back Earmarks? (H.R. 4818)

What is H.R. 4818?

(Updated December 18, 2018)

This bill — known as the Pulled Pork Act — would prohibit Congress from using earmarks to allocate federal spending to a specific state, locality, or congressional district in a way other than through a formula-driven or competitive award process. Earmarks have been banned in Congress since 2011 by conference rules but those can be changed by each chamber at its discretion. This bill would also require federal agencies to submit an annual report to the Office of Management and Budget detailing attempted earmarks that were ineligible for funding, along with the total annual savings from denying those attempted earmarks.

Argument in favor

Congress was right to get rid of earmarks as they encouraged the wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars and bred corruption. They should be banned, and agencies should block and report on any attempted backdoor earmarks.

Argument opposed

It would be easier for Congress to pass legislation that significantly impacts the American people if they were able to cut deals involving earmarks that benefit reluctant members’ home districts.

Impact

Federal agencies, including the OMB; and Congress.

Cost of H.R. 4818

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced this bill to prohibit Congress from using earmarks to spend taxpayer dollars:

“Congress made the right decision when it ended the practice of earmarks. Earmarks represent a return to political favoritism, unethical practices, and wasteful government spending. Our constituents deserve better and I believe that compromise, not pork barrel projects, is how we cut through partisan gridlock.”

Original cosponsor Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) added:

“For years, earmarks wrought corruption and ballooned the national deficit. That is why they were banned by the House of Representatives and Senate in 2011. We mustn’t return to this wasteful manner of spending. We must remain resolute in our ethical governance.”

A recent House hearing on the potential return of earmarks to Congress brought proponents from both sides of the aisle who praised earmarks as a dealmaking tool.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) Press Release
  
• Las Vegas Review-Journal
  
• Countable (Context)