Earmarks Resurface: $16B in Targeted Spending Helps Seal a Massive Funding Package

Republican leaders revived earmarks, steering about $16 billion in targeted projects into a sprawling funding package. Supporters argue the practice helped secure bipartisan deals to fund defense and other agencies while keeping overall spending steady, while hard-liners warn about corruption risks and push to curb the mechanism. The House voted to keep hundreds of earmarks intact as negotiations continue in the Senate, with funds aimed at avoiding a government shutdown.