Ban on earmark spending ends political battle

WASHINGTON – The long congressional battle over special funding for pet projects, known as earmarks, came to a quiet close Tuesday as the Democratic chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee announced a two-year ban on the practice.

The decision prohibiting earmarks reflected the political stalemate that arose as President Barack Obama vowed to veto any legislation with the congressionally directed spending. Republicans already had agreed to abandon the practice.

“The handwriting is clearly on the wall,” said Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawaii, chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. “The president has stated unequivocally that he will veto any legislation containing earmarks, and the House will not pass any bills that contain them.”

Obama’s veto promise during last week’s State of the Union address put the president at odds with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and others who support Congress’ right to earmark funds for home states.

In announcing the decision, Inouye noted his own support for the earmark process and said the ban would be revisited next year.