Earmark battle emerges as late threat to spending bill – By Alexander Bolton (The Hill) / March 5, 2024
A package of six bills that needs to pass by Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown is drawing intense fire from conservatives in both chambers who are zeroing in on more than 6,000 earmarks buried in the package.
The spending package was initially expected to pass easily but now faces a rocky path in the Senate, where it’s become a political football in the ongoing battle between the GOP leadership and Trump-aligned conservatives.
If conservatives drag out the process, they could force a short shutdown over the weekend.
Senate conservatives are trying to elevate the package in the race to replace outgoing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) — putting McConnell’s top deputy, Senate GOP Whip John Thune (S.D.), in a tough spot.
