No earmarks, but still plenty for lawmakers to take credit for
Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) strongly defended his earmarking record while facing a far right primary challenger who attacked him as a big government spender. Now that he’s pretty much safe for another six years, Cochran remains just as unapologetic.
His flaunting it must make former challenger Chris McDaniel roll in his proverbial political grave.
Of course there are no actual earmarks anymore and haven’t been since 2011. But if you’re the type of lawmaker who heralds sending federal dollars home, there’s still plenty of opportunity to boast.
When the Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved its $549.3 billion defense appropriations bill late last week Cochran’s office put out a press release bragging about what in it would directly benefit Mississippi. There’s $800 million for a new warship to be built in the state. His office bullet-pointed funding over and above the White House budget request for programs that benefit other Mississippi military projects and bases.
Washington Post
7/22/14
Magnolia Tribune
