[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/03/02/spending.earmarks/art.capitolday.gi.jpg caption="The Senate passed a $410 billion spending bill Tuesday evening."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - A massive spending bill that funds the U.S. government for the rest of the budget year passed the Senate on Tuesday despite complaints about nearly $8 billion in what critics called "pork-barrel" projects.
Senators voted 62-35 to cut off debate on the $410 billion measure and passed it on a voice vote immediately afterward.
The omnibus spending bill includes more than 8,000 congressional "earmarks," which total almost $8 billion. The earmarks have caused critics to question President Barack Obama's pledge to end wasteful spending, but Obama administration officials say the bill is a holdover from the previous Congress.
Yeah that's it, blame it on the previous democratic congress. Well that's 'change' from what Obama said would be his refusing to sign a pork laden spending bill if one came across his desk, of course some of this pork are his own earmarks.
Wow, that's the same as what... 41 months in Iraq?
"Holdover from the previous Congress"... is that' how he's going to blame Bush for it, even though both houses of Congress were controlled by Democrats (and then-Sen. Obama was a member of the majority party in the Senate)?
With the GOP responsible for 43% of $8-billion in earmarks, I can't help but wonder just how many of the "62 YES Votes" were Republicans?
President Obama and his staff may try to sell the American public on the idea that the $8 billion in earmarks in this bill is something "he inherited" but that is disingenuous at best, and downright insulting to the millions of Americans who voted for change, but are getting more of the same.
SHAME ON YOU MR PRESIDENT Another broken promise.
I am sure this will not get posted.
There were more earmarks requested by Republicans than Democrats. Also, what is considered an earmark can also be a good thing for that state.
It's not Obama's Bill – If people could get real on that for a minute then this concept that some believe would finally end!
If Obama signs it he is officially a liar
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN NOT GO BANKRUPT; IT HAS THE POWER TO CREATE MONEY (ARTICLE 1, SECTION 8, OF THE CONSTITUTION).
HOW CAN THE INTELLIGENTSIA OF AMERICA BE SO BLINDED that they cannot see that the Federal Government must have a money system that can create and maintain an equivalent ratio of money to the goods and services that its peoples’ hands and minds can produce? Nature’s Basic Law of Economics states: All goods and services flow from the action of people resources on natural resources— Money is the medium of exchange which should be equal to the value of the goods and services—and not to a gold standard or some other insane idea.
All those who voted and jeopardized their state, should not be re-elected to Congress. Regardless of which party.
Things that Obama says: I will veto bills with earmarks. I will go line by line. Oops, that would mean I would have to be in the White House. Ok, not today, maybe tomorrow.
bo will keep his campaign promise of no more pork and veto this bill. Unless of course he is too afraid of pelosi & reid. In that case, we will know who really runs the government and bo will be shown to be just a token symbol of a president with the far left liberals running the show.
I think it's amusing when you listen to the "Earmark " complaints from some of these Senators on how Obama should veto the bill only to find out they are the problem................
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday called the bill a "missed opportunity."
"In the midst of a serious economic downturn, the Senate had a chance to show it can impose the same kind of restraint on itself that millions of Americans are being forced to impose on themselves at the moment. ... If the president is looking for a first bill to veto, this is it," he said.
McConnell has requested 36 "solo" earmarks - those without cosponsors - totaling $51 million in the bill, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense.
HA.HA what a CLOWN!!
What a bunch of weasels on both sides I hope they all get voted out in two and fours years from now. What and insult
So what'd ya think? NOBODY up there knows what's going on in the country!
Great idea
Some call it "pork" but for the one bringing it home its called "bringing home the bacon"!!