March 14, 2008
Posted: 08:00 AM ET
 Sen. John McCain of Arizona has long been a vocal critic of earmarks.
Sen. John McCain of Arizona has long been a vocal critic of earmarks.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly shot down an effort Thursday night to ban "earmark" spending for one year — quashing an effort backed by all three senators seeking the presidency.

The House and Senate passed budget plans that, though nonbinding, would allow some or all of President Bush's tax cuts to expire in about three years, The Associated Press reported.

The House passed its $3 trillion budget plan by a 212-207 vote, and the Senate's companion plan passed 51-44, AP reported.

Full story

Filed under: Senate


anon   March 14th, 2008 8:46 am ET

McCain signed on to the earmark moritorium first, then Obama and Clinton jumped on as johnny come latelies.

Too bad the democrat controlled senate defeated it.

Spirit of America   March 14th, 2008 8:49 am ET

So what do We, The People get from this $3 TRILLION budget? A war without end costing us at least $2 trillion! Skyrocketing gasoline prices! Free-falling dollar! Crumbling economy! No universal health care. No public transportation. No free childcare. No family allowances. No paid maternity/paternity leave. No free tuition. No affordable housing. No public works program. No jobs expansion. No manufacturing expansion. Just more war and poverty. Thanks a lot! Who kidnapped Uncle Sam?

Rick in Florida   March 14th, 2008 8:53 am ET

Wonderful. Pork-Barrel requests are costing the taxpayers $18 billion and counting. Most of our legislators are DEAF to the outcry against this abuse and should be turned out of office. CNN…please PUBLISH the names of the 79 Senators who voted to keep the Pork-train going.

michael, ny   March 14th, 2008 8:54 am ET

Just one thought on FL & MI redo here: Would it be fair to John Edward?

Tom Swift in NH   March 14th, 2008 9:00 am ET

Obama & McCain has released their "earmarks"… once again Hillary is stalling.

Luis   March 14th, 2008 9:00 am ET

McCain will have a field day by taking this to the voters during the General Election.

Thanks again Dimocrats!

Norm   March 14th, 2008 9:03 am ET

Sad day in America, AGAIN We need a whole new system, get rid of ALL OF THEM.

Norm   March 14th, 2008 9:12 am ET

boycott the elections

AJ, IL   March 14th, 2008 10:35 am ET

That is one of the good things about McCain, his continued resistance to earmarks dating back to 1990. But his resistance to earmarks came after the Keating 5 scandal in which McCain was involved. Obama has released all his senatorial earmarks in keeping with his continued talk of government transparency. Hillary is still hiding her earmarks, joint tax returns, and white house papers. How sad?!?!

Karl   March 14th, 2008 10:35 am ET

Just one more example of our our so-called representatives are more concerned with getting re-elected than with doing what's right for the country. Send the pork back to the home district and get another run in most exclusive club in the land.

John McCain does not earmark anything and he keeps getting re-elected by the people of Arizona! Wake up America. These people are WASTING OUR MONEY!

You want universal health care? $18 Billion is a good place to start. You want some tax relief? $18 Billion is a good place to start. You want better education services for your kids? $18 Billion is a good place to start.

NickNasc   March 14th, 2008 10:36 am ET

Hey People it is ONLY BARACK OBAMA who says he will put ALL Spending issues and that INCLUDES and Earmarks ON THE INTERNET FOR ALL TO SEE……BEFORE they are Voted on so WE THE PEOPLE can see EXACTLY what is going on. Also if ANY changes are made to a Bill too close to the vote he will DELAY the vote so the NEW numbers can be shown on the net for a minimum 48 hours.

I personally think this act ALONE will change Washington and save BILLIONS of Tax dollars.

But I worry about Obamas safety for forceing the roaches to work out in the light.

Karl   March 14th, 2008 10:38 am ET

From story in WSJ:
On the stump Tuesday in St. Louis, Sen. McCain derided two spending bills that included earmarks totaling "$35 billion, B, billion, dollars." The Arizona senator has never had an earmark attached to his name.

In fiscal 2008, Sen. Clinton of New York had 261 earmarks totaling $266 million, according to the Citizens Against Government Waste. In 2005, the group named her one of two recipients of the "Porker of the Year" award. Sen. Obama had 53 earmarks totaling $126 million in fiscal year 2008, according to the government-waste group.

David   March 14th, 2008 10:46 am ET

of course the rejected to stop the earmarks. they are getting something out of it, be it kickbacks or influence.

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