House Lawmakers Weigh Adding Earmarks to Labor-HHS Spending Bill

Top members of the House Appropriations Committee are considering allowing earmarks for the Labor-HHS-Education funding bill for the next fiscal year, lifting a self-restriction on the projects set by conservatives.

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said Thursday that he and his colleagues are discussing allowing lawmakers “more flexibility” with requesting earmarks, but no final decisions have been made.

“We’re reviewing that kind of decision, we’re looking at the number. It doesn’t change the amount of money,” Cole said, noting that earmarks are still limited to 1% of discretionary spending, with 0.5% for each chamber.

Senators are currently allowed to ...