Earmark Reform within the 110th Congress policy, transparency and effectiveness

Download
Author
Lacefield, Arleigh B.
Date
2008-12Advisor
Doyle, Richard
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Earmark spending has come under attack by, and scrutiny of, government watchdog groups, the media and some fiscal conservatives in Congress because of the political corruption that has centered around its use, the increase in the amount of new earmarks being requested and funded, and because of the waste thought to be associated with earmarked spending. As a result, Congress has considered a series of earmark reforms, focused primarily on reforming Senate and House rules to ensure better control of the appropriations process and also providing transparency and accountability of all earmark requests and spending. Of the numerous reform bills and resolutions introduced in the Senate and House during the 110th Congress, one bill and one resolution became law. The Honest Leadership and Government Act of 2007 was intended to provide greater transparency of earmarks requested during committee mark-ups and in conference. House Resolution 491, "Providing for Earmark Reform," discouraged the unauthorized insertion of earmarks into the language of conference reports. Although total earmarked spending and the number of earmarks declined slightly following passage of these measures, there is little evidence to suggest cause and effect. This was apparent after the passage of the FY2009 spending package when congressional leaders were criticized for failing to offer lawmakers and the public sufficient time and opportunity to adequately scrutinize all earmark requests.
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Factors influencing defense expenditures - a Hungarian perspective
Balla, Attila (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2000-06);This thesis attempts to explore the economic, political and military factors influencing defense expenditures in general and in particular for the case of Hungary. The description of the empirical models leads to an analysis ... -
The use of the Analytical Hierarchy Process as a source selection methodology and its potential application within the Hellenic Air Force
Tsagdis, Angelis (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2008-06);This thesis assesses the feasibility of using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a dynamic tool for decision-making in defense acquisition. The gradual reductions in defense budgets, the need for efficient allocation ... -
The continued transition of the South African National Defense Force: Reserve Force integration and utilization
Englet, Lance Eric (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2000-12);In the past decade, South Africa has undergone radical transitions in government, social integration, and direction. The most remarkable is the restructuring of the military, which included integration of former homeland ...