Back to Budgeting as Usual: New Spending Caps Leave Room for Plenty of Pork

Publication Date: September 1991

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): Scott A. Hodge

Research Area: Banking and finance; Government

Keywords: Budget

Type: Report

Abstract:

If lawmakers’ claims are sincere about reducing the deficit, they must do something to eliminate pork bill spending. Rescinding the spending items identified by the PorkBusters group would be a good faith effort to prove that Congress wants to lower the deficit. Using a broader definition of pork, lawmakers should then begin to eliminate all programs that enrich narrow special interests or parts of the country. A federal elected body such as Congress should not involve itself in issues better left to town councils, county boards, and state legislatures.