Earmarks

What is an Earmark?

Earmarks are funds provided by the 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 Executive Branch to properly manage funds. Congress includes earmarks in appropriation bills - the annual spending bills that Congress enacts to allocate discretionary spending - and also in authorization bills.

What Does the Earmarks Database Show?

This database provides more information on earmarks in one place than has ever been available through the Federal Government. It is part of an effort to bring greater accountability to federal spending. This step is also consistent with changes in the House Rules and Senate legislation during the 110^th Congress, which requires more disclosure for earmarks.

Browse:

• Totals for FY08 Appropriation Earmarks/Benchmark for "Cut in Half" Goal
• Estimates of FY 2008 Appropriation Earmarks
• FY 2005 Appropriation Earmarks
• FY 2005 Authorization Earmarks

• Search Earmarks full text

  2005 Appropriations 2005 Authorizations

Limitations of the Earmarks Database:

This database is not designed, and cannot accurately be used, to identify the individual congressional sponsors of earmarks. In addition, the recipient listed in the database may not in all cases represent the ultimate beneficiary of the earmark. For example, if the Federal Government provides funds to a specific recipient (e.g., a City), that recipient may then provide the funds or benefits to another entity and may not be required to identify the ultimate beneficiary to the Federal Government.