GOP Senator Wants to Restore Earmarks

Senator John Hoeven (R-ND is making a break from many in his party and calling for an end to the GOP-backed moratorium on earmarks. The Republican senator’s viewpoint is similar to that of some other veterans of the Appropriations panel, including Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) who favors lifting the ban, which has been in place since 2010. Last week, a bipartisan pair of senators began circulating a letter seeking to keep the ban intact. Despite Hoeven’s comments, any change is unlikely before the November elections, as earmarks are still unpopular with many voters.