New rules force more disclosure of earmarks
By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The House and Senate in 2007 implemented reforms aimed at adding transparency to the process of earmarking projects, grants and contracts in legislation.

The House:

- Requires any bill containing earmarks be accompanied by a list identifying each one and the member or members who requested it.

- Requires a letter from the representative who requested an earmark to provide a letter identifying the earmark and the entity to receive the funds, along with a certification that neither the requesting member nor their spouse would benefit financially.

- Prohibits earmarks from being used to influence other members.

The Senate:

- Requires disclosure of earmarks and their sponsors, but it does not require public disclosure of the entities receiving them.

- Prohibits senators from advocating for an earmark in which they might have a financial interest.

Republican proposals not

adopted:

- In Senate, requiring that earmarks be placed in bill language instead of accompanying reports, guaranteeing opponents a chance to vote them down.

- In House, imposing a moratorium on earmarks until a bipartisan committee proposes new reforms.