As congressional appropriators work toward an omnibus spending bill for the fiscal year that started in October, earmarks will make a comeback after more than a decade, Axios reported.

Earmarks – spending directed to members of Congress’ local projects – were for many years a way that members brought money to their districts, including through the spending bills that covered defense, military construction and Veterans Affairs. They fell out of favor and were banned after a series of high-profile abuses.

Supporters of earmarks, which are now referred to as “community project funding” or “congressionally directed spending,” say the practice helps build consensus for legislation while reclaiming Congress’ power of the purse string instead of giving a presidential administration the authority to decide where to allocate funding.

Navy photo by Trice Denny