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Earmarks
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| U.S. Congress |
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| State executive officials |
| State legislatures |
| Elections |
An earmark is "a provision in Congressional legislation that allocates a specified amount of money for a specific project, program, or organization."[1]
The federal Office of Management and Budget defines earmarks as funds provided by Congress for projects or programs where "the congressional direction (in bill or report language) circumvents the merit-based or competitive allocation process, or specifies the location or recipient, or otherwise curtails the ability of the Administration to control critical aspects of the funds allocation process."[2] Legislators have historically sought to insert earmarks to direct specific amounts of money to organizations or projects in the member's home state or district.
How earmarking works
Article 1, Section 9 of the United States Constitution requires Congress to pass legislation that specifically directs all appropriations of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. This gives Congress the power to earmark funds to be spent on specific projects. Earmarking has become a regular part of allocating federal government funds.
Earmarking is different from the larger department appropriations process. Typically, Congress grants a yearly sum of money to a federal agency. The money is allocated by the agency as requested by the legal authority and internal budgeting process unique to each department. An earmark allows Congress to direct a specific amount of money to an agency's budget for a particular project, without the requirement of members of Congress to identify themselves or the project.[3]
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