Pork-barrel spending is an unflattering term used to describe spending projects earmarked for a particular member's district that are buried deep inside appropriations bills. These projects are hidden in mandatory appropriations bills so as to ensure passage while keeping them hidden from the public and even other members of Congress. The biggest culprits in pork-barrel spending typically are powerful committee and subcommittee chairmen, as well as other senior members. Some lobbying firms in Washington, D.C., specialize in securing pork-barrel projects for both public and private interests. In response to the sharp decline in federal revenues following the September 11 terrorist attacks, OMB Director Mitch Daniels publicly admonished Congress to “moderate its appetite for these programs” — a warning that went unheeded.

Members use pork-barrel projects to maintain their popularity back home and reward campaign contributors. Former New York senator Al D'Amato built a career around bringing federal projects back to his state. Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, arguably the most capable parliamentarian in Senate history, is recognized as the undisputed “king of pork” for his ability to secure federal projects for West Virginia. According to the last count, seven buildings in the state were named after Byrd!

The watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste estimated that pork-barrel spending projects totaled $20.1 billion in 2002. Some of the more egregious projects in recent years have included $800,000 for Satsuma orange research in Alabama; $400,000 for the Montana Sheep Institute; $250,000 for seaweed control in Hawaii; $50,000 for a tattoo removal program in San Luis Obispo, California; and $2 million for the Center on Obesity at West Virginia University (no doubt the handiwork of Senator Byrd).