Democrats were pushing full speed ahead last week for the $410 billion bill to finance the government for the rest of the year. That’s the one that increases discretionary spending by 8 percent and is loaded with 8,570 earmarks worth $7.7 billion. It’s the one the White House has dismissed as “last year’s business.”
But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had to acknowledge Thursday night that he couldn’t rustle up enough votes to break a Republican filibuster. He had to pull the bill.
And suddenly, $1.7 million to study pig odor was in jeopardy. New Orleans might not get $6.6 million to study termites. New York could have to forgo $2.1 million to study grape genetics. California might have to struggle without $200,000 for gang tattoo removal. Arkansas? No $1.75 million for a fish hatchery visitors center. Texas? It could still study honeybees, but without $1.7 million in federal money to do it.
All are earmarks in this spending bill.
The bill may still pass this week and if it does, President Barack Obama is likely to sign it. But maybe, with the benefit of a few more days to digest how much this thing smacks of Washington business as usual, Democrats in Congress and the White House will feel some pangs of responsibility.
