Glossary

Earmark

A provision in legislation that directs federal money to a specific project, recipient or location, often requested by a member of Congress.

Also called: congressionally directed spending, community project funding, pork-barrel spending

An earmark is a line in a spending bill or its report that sets aside funding for a named project or organization, usually in a lawmaker's home district or state. Under current House and Senate rules, they are called "community project funding" and "congressionally directed spending" and members must disclose their requests and certify no financial interest.

Congress used earmarks extensively until controversies, such as the "Bridge to Nowhere" in Alaska and several corruption cases, led both parties to adopt a moratorium in 2011. They returned in 2021 with new transparency rules. They make up a small share of total federal spending, but they affect legislative bargaining because members who secure projects may be more willing to support larger bills.

Supporters argue that members know local needs better than federal agencies and that earmarks restore Congress's constitutional power over spending rather than leaving choices to the executive branch. Critics, including fiscal conservatives and watchdog groups, call them wasteful "pork" and a form of favor-trading that encourages bigger omnibus bills. The debate touches on public choice theory, which explains how concentrated benefits can win approval despite diffuse costs.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Appropriations The laws through which Congress grants federal agencies authority to spend money each year on discretionary programs. Omnibus bill A single large bill that combines many separate measures, most often a full set of annual spending bills. Regular order The traditional process of developing and debating legislation through committees, open amendment and separate votes rather than leadership-written packages. Discretionary spending Federal spending that Congress sets each year through appropriations bills, including defense, transportation and many domestic agencies. Public choice theory The application of economic analysis to political behavior, treating voters, politicians and bureaucrats as self-interested actors.