Only in Congress
The House version of the bill spends $14 billion. The Senate version spends $15 billion. So what is the compromise between the two. 14.5? No, spend $23.2 billion!
Dispatches from District 48
The House version of the bill spends $14 billion. The Senate version spends $15 billion. So what is the compromise between the two. 14.5? No, spend $23.2 billion!
And the war on earmarks dies a silent death, unnoticed by anyone.
Dubya finally grew a pair and vetoed this bill. I doubt they'll directly override the veto, but I also very much doubt that the same earmarks won't appear in other bills, probably linked to things that he cannot veto.