Congress
Definition:
The term pork barrel politics usually refers to
spending which is intended to benefit
constituents of a politician in return for their
political support, either in the form of campaign
contributions or votes.
Definition: Appropriations of public funds by
Congress (or other legislative assemblies) for
projects that do not serve the interests of any
large portion of the country's citizenry but are
nevertheless vigorously promoted by a small
group of legislators because they will pump
outside taxpayers' money and resources into
the local districts these legislators represent.
• $50,000 for helicopter improvements at a small-town
sheriff's office
• Hidden in: Commerce,
• Justice, Science
• Appropriations Act
• Porker: Rep. Harold Rogers
• (R-Ky.)
• $98,257 for a shuttle from a congressman's hometown to
D.C.
• Hidden in: Financial Services and General Government
Appropriations
• Act
• Porker: Rep. James Moran
• (D-Va.)
•
•
•
•
•
•
$190,000 to digitize
photos at the ritzy
New York Historical Society
Hidden in: Legislative
Branch Appropriations Act
Porkers: Sen. Charles Schumer
(D-NY)
•
•
•
•
•
•
$200,000 for a tattoo removal program in California
Hidden in: Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act
Porker: Rep. Howard
Berman (D-Calif.)
• $238,000 to teach Alaska parents about No Child Left Bhind
• Hidden in: Labor/HHS Appropriations Act
• Porkers: Sen.
• Lisa Murkowski
• (R-Alaska)
•
• $254,000 grant for the Montana Sheep Institute
• www.animalspapper.com Baa, we love Steve Jobs. Baa.
• Hidden in: Agriculture Appropriations Bill
• Porkers: Senators Jon Tester
• (D-Mont.) and
• Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.)
•
• $1.2 million for an underwater exploration center
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Hidden in: Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act
Porkers: Senators J
ack Reed (D-R.I.) and
Sen. Sheldon
Whitehouse
(D-R.I.)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
$1.24 million for tree snake control in Guam
Hidden in: DOD Appropriations Act
Porkers: Rep. Mazie Hirono
(D-Hawaii) and
Rep. Madeleine
Bordallo (D-Guam)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
$1.9 million for water taxi service at Pleasure Beach, CT
Hidden in: Transportation/
Housing and Urban
Development
Porker: Rep.
Chris Shays (R-Conn.)
• Research a topic and the ‘pork barrel’ legislation tied
to it.
• Make an illustration depicting what the legislation is
about, what it covers, who benefits, what will occur
with the money.