WASHINGTON D.C.- A research center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, modernized traffic lights in Omaha and highway improvements in the Panhandle. Those are some of the Nebraska projects being proposed for the first batch of congressional earmarks in 10 years.

Combined, Nebraska’s three congressmen submitted more than $300 million in earmark requests, and at least $44.25 million in requests have cleared initial hurdles.

In the Senate, however, it’s a different story. Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse, who remains steadfast in his opposition to earmarks, made no requests. Sasse, along with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, was among 15 Republican senators in April to sign a letter recommitting to their party’s internal Senate ban on earmarks.

“We can relentlessly advocate for Nebraska’s strengths without giving into the swamp politics of earmarks,” Sasse said in a statement to The World-Herald. “Washington is maxing out credit cards faster than the Kardashians and, although earmarks are a small percentage of the total budget, they contribute to an addiction to debt that both parties refuse to admit. We should keep our promises to ban earmarks.”

Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, who has opposed earmarks in the past, did not respond to a request for comment, and there’s no indication on her website that she’s requested any.

Earmarking was linked to corruption in the 2000s, leading to an outcry and a ban on earmarks in both the House and Senate. But many in Congress say the ban has gone too far, ceding the “power of the purse” to party leaders and the executive branch and giving lawmakers less incentive to work across party lines.

Nebraska’s entire congressional delegation is Republican. In March, Morning Consult/Politico released polling that found that 56% of GOP voters opposed the restoration of earmarks. Nebraska’s House members said they see value in the requests.

For the full article click HERE