Group: Nearly $20B In Pork In Fiscal '09

Consumers may not be in a spending mood, but members of Congress certainly are. And they're spending on pork.

A government watchdog group put out a report Tuesday that says what it calls wasteful spending is up $2 billion this year, as CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports.

From almost $8 million to restore oyster habitats to perennial research on blueberries and honeybees, Congress' pork-barrel spending is out-of-the-park. (In fact, there's even $3.8 million dollars for Detroit's old Tiger Stadium.)

The report from Citizens Against Government Waste says wasteful spending topped $19.6 billion in fiscal 2009.

"You hear Washington officials say we all have to tighten our belts, we all have to sacrifice" said David Williams, vice president of Citizens Against Government Waste. "Well, yeah, but the politicians aren't sacrificing."

That means projects like turning the decaying Tiger Stadium into a park and business center. Money is given outside the regular budget, without the normal public review, often benefiting special interests or campaign contributors.

There's $1.9 million for a water taxi at the abandoned "Pleasure Beach" in Connecticut. Another $4.5 million benefits the timber industry, funding things like new uses for particleboard and plywood.

But Kansas may have the winner for the most self-absorbed earmark.

"Sen. Pat Roberts - $2 million for the Pat Roberts Intelligence Scholars Program," says Williams.

Top spenders overall are Democrat Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii in the House with $256 million in earmarks and Republican Thad Cochran of Mississippi in the Senate with $653 million.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who promised major earmark reform, wasn't available for an interview. But her office says Democrats have provided historic transparency and accountability.

[fishintxs]

Is there another kind of history other that "past history?" And no, you're wrong -- government expenditure is a well proven technique to stimulate a stagnate economy. It is taught in every economics survey course everywhere.
well it did not help in 1928, do you remember the deepression,no, you will very soon. we are about to face the greatest depression of all time.

[taryder]

I will tell WHERE the MONEY IS GOING........Billions & Billions to SUPPORT THREE!!! WARS UNDER Obama, the candidate who was going to start stopping the war in Iraq his first day in office........IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN............And don't think for a moment that there will not be repercussions in regards to the UN Racism Conference, and Obama's stand with Israel.

By the way, let's bring back DEMOCRACY to the DNC!!!.......The DNC has become NOT MUCH DIFFERENT than the GOP.......
ALWAYS a KING! somewhere.......GWB, now Obama

[daveypat]

The environment is not pork especially honeybees. They are disappearing at a phenominal rate and they are a major pollinator of our plants for food. Not only that but they also provide natural sugars (honey). Oyster habitat is as just as important. Can we not see how this research is important to each and every one of us. If earmarks do not benefit us directly then people freak out. Not all ear marks are bad...they just just need to be overseen more closely.
One person's pork may be another person's prize and joy. Like in Iowa where they are talking about funding for why pigs smell. Believe me if you have ever lived in Iowa like I have, trying to find a way to subside the smell will be beneficial for all of Iowa and other local agriculture areas. This would be a positive step to the lifestyle and wellbeing of Iowa with pig farms throughout the state. For Iowa this is important but for someone in Florida they may not care. There has to be some balance but to say it is all pork. Get real and just because you do not benefit directly...stop being so selfish and think about someone else.

[inketolstoy]

You made the wrong assumption, mcthreeteeth. This is just proof that when you have a smaller membership (the senate) you get your hands on large ramounts of money. Senators look at themselves as the aristocrats of American politics and reward themselves accordingly. A senator (repub or dem) gets more of the pie than a representative because it is a smaller club divying up the money. A pig is a pig; it doesn't matter if he/she wears a elephant or donkey on the lapel.

[cdegolier]

Pelosi and earmark reform, yeah that will happen. After this change all I will have left is change. Thank you, and God bless the democrats. Any money I might have left please add to the $600 million to rebuild gaza strip.

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by TheMasses01

I'm Impressed, your first comment directed towards me, and already you've run out of logic, and resort to lame attempt at insult instead of logic.

It usually takes a few exchanges before the failed neos give up and resort to that.

[WITHINMEANS]

Line item veto anyone?

Even better would have each spending item introduced as it's own spending bill. I wonder how many pet projects would even make it to a vote.

[TheMasses01]

I think a lot of the money is well spent and helps the economy in the long run.
Posted by gary4books
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One can only hope (hmmm-where have I heard that before?)
But past history dictates the stimulus package will not work.

[gary4books]

The thing I notice is that many of these are useful projects. We do need to save oysters in the bay and it is important to have safe nuts and the bees are in trouble. The Washington Post used to sneer at all of the texas water projects, but the DC area is much wetter and they never could understand what a water project meant in dry west Texas.

I think a lot of the money is well spent and helps the economy in the long run.

[TheMasses01]

"...Hey brianbwb-2009....Your personal attack is uncalled for but it sounds like you're frustrated. You must be a liberal living off of welfare. What's wrong, didn't you see the increase in your foodstamps????" Posted by enjoylife63
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You got that right - what a loser.
Probably an obese, welfare leach eating cheetos all day on a stolen computer.
What a cancer and drain on society.