Democrats in the House say no to commitments – for the moment

House Democrats do not expect to resurrect the politically taboo practice of spending in the coming months, but do not completely rule out the possibility of reviving the method in the coming years.

The Speaker of the Parliamentary Assembly of Credits, Nita Lowey (DN.Y.), announced in a letter this week to fellow lawmakers that "it does not currently exist. bipartisan and bicameral agreement needed "to allow spending leaders to bring back the controversial practice of specifying that federal funds should disappear. to certain projects.

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The announcement came after Democratic leaders, including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, spent weeks working with Republicans in both houses to reach a bipartisan agreement to restore the situation. The deal was never realized, even though pro-spending Democrats said they would not give up.

"Mr. Hoyer will continue to have conversations with leaders of both parties and chambers in order to find a way forward to restore reforms with reforms to ensure transparency and accountability," said Friday the door -special Mariel Saez.

MPs will not be included in spending bills for the 2020 fiscal years, which will begin Oct. 1, Lowey said.

But the president added that "in the coming months, Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate need to discuss the issue of what is reserved in our respective caucuses and conferences to determine members' preferences, solicit ideas to ensure that taxpayers' money is spent wisely, and if so, modify the rules to allow members to request reservations. "

It was the Democrats in the House who reshuffled the withdrawal process in 2006 to limit funding for pet projects by introducing a one-year moratorium in 2007, followed by a ban by the government. GOP in 2011.

However, legislators from both parties – especially those on Capitol Hill for several decades – say that the funding ritual for retirees does not need to be harmful and it helps lawmakers to ensure that their districts get what they need from the federal government.

"I know, from my own experience, that I'm pursuing the goals that really help my community," said Lowey, a congressman for 30 years in November. "And I will stand behind every dollar and project I have ever gotten. So there are a lot of members who feel that way. "

President Donald Trump has given new impetus to the debate on the return of funds early last year, saying that there was "great conviviality" when lawmakers were able to guarantee that the funds Federal officials would be assigned to specific projects and that "maybe" congressional leaders "should start thinking about going back to a form of ear tags."