Democrats will extend spending, halt earmarks

The Democratic plan deals with unfinished spending bills.

By WASHINGTON POST
Published December 13, 2006

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WASHINGTON - Democratic leaders declared a temporary moratorium on special-interest provisions known as earmarks as they attempt to cope with a budget crisis left by the outgoing Republican-led 109th Congress.

Congress adjourned early Saturday, having completed work on two of the 11 spending bills for the 2007 fiscal year that began Oct. 1. The unfinished bills account for about $463-billion in annual spending and include just about every domestic program other than defense and homeland security.

In response, the incoming Democratic chairmen of the House and Senate Appropriations committees announced Monday that they would extend current funding levels until the 2008 fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

The new chairmen, Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin and Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, said the moratorium on earmarks would last until lobbying changes are enacted. Those special spending provisions included in the unfinished fiscal 2007 bills will be eligible for consideration next year, they said, subject to new standards.