Leading Democrats on Wednesday appeared to brush aside President Obama’s suggestion that they sacrifice earmarks in the federal budget, arguing Congress knows better than “faceless bureaucrats” how to spend taxpayer money.
The pushback came just hours after the president, during his address to a joint session of Congress, implored lawmakers to help put the nation back on a path to fiscal health.
Despite Obama’s request, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) on Wednesday stood by thousands of earmarks in the $410 billion omnibus spending bill, which the House passed Wednesday and is expected to be debated next by senators.
So much for President Obama controlling Congress.
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