Power Restored C O N G R E S S

The report includes background information on the history of directed spending, information about new rules and restrictions meant to improve the process, and a data-driven analysis of the trends that emerged, with comparisons to trends in the pre-moratorium period. [...] Kosar outlined recommendations in their 2021 report for the American Enterprise Institute, “Restoring the Power of the Purse: Earmarks and Re-Empowering Legislators to Deliver Local Benefits.”11 The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, established in the House in 2019, made detailed recommendations during the 116th Congress for a Community-Focused Grant Program.12 Table 1 summarizes. [...] The total amount approved in the Senate comes to $8 billion, about half of 1% of the enacted discretionary spending for FY2023.21 REPUB LICAN AND DEMOCR ATIC SPENDING PRIORITIES IN THE SENATE DIFFER SLIG HTLY FROM THE HOUSE , WITH INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT DISPL ACING L ABOR AND HH S FOR THE SECOND MOST FUNDING REQUESTS Republican and Democratic spending priorities in the Senate differ slightly fro. [...] The Appropriations Committees need to offer more detailed and consistent reporting of directed spending requests and approvals to aid the public’s understanding of the process. [...] The Appropriations Committees, or other committees of jurisdiction, should, to the extent possible, continue to help field questions and provide feedback on member inquiries to ensure higher quality requests.  • In terms of training, the Appropriations Committees should work with appropriate entities, such as the Congressional Staff Academy in the House and Webster in the Senate, to host in-person.