The next Republican civil war: a fight over earmarks
Updated 7:32 PM ET, Thu February 25, 2021
(CNN)As Democrats begin their march toward reinstating earmarks, Republicans are grappling with how their party will handle bringing back directed congressional spending.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell suggested in a Fox News interview Thursday evening that Republicans won't be asking for earmarks, which would have huge implications for spending legislation going forward and give Democrats even greater say in how to direct funding.
But Republicans are divided along ideological and even generational lines with fiscal conservatives arguing the practice of sending money directly to certain districts and projects has been grossly abused and represents the worst of Washington. Meanwhile, some longer-serving members and appropriators support the practice and recall the benefits of driving pork back home.