Skimpy though the information is, however, OMB's posting generated calls of protest to the agency from members of Congress. It is business as usual in the earmarks business orchestrated by the Senate Appropriations subcommittees.
On Feb. 21, the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies subcommittee sent senators a detailed procedure for earmarks with a March 30 deadline. On Feb. 28, the chairman and ranking Republican on the Energy and Water Development subcommittee asked for earmark requests that "identify" their "beneficial role." On March 7, the Agriculture subcommittee sent senators a request form.
Such request forms generally omit the new ethics bill's requirements, for example, disclosure of any personal financial interest in an earmark by a member of Congress. The Labor, HHS and Education subcommittee's form asks only that the request be made by April 13, 2007. Coburn's letter to Byrd: "Your experience and institutional knowledge are invaluable, and I look forward to working with you to ensure that all taxpayers dollars are expended in a fully transparent and responsible manner."
Whether or not Coburn really expects help from Capitol Hill's reigning king of pork, he surely would like to see George W. Bush shrug off the threat of the appropriators and get involved in the war against earmarks. A senior White House aide has advised that the full story, expected last week, will be told by the end of the month. It will be a good test of presidential intent.