May 12, 2006

Bill to Disclose 'Pork' Passes in the House

By JEFFREY SELINGO

The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a lobbying-reform bill last week that requires more public disclosure about earmarks, but falls short of somewhat tougher standards already approved by the Senate.

Under the legislation, HR 4975, House bills must be accompanied by a list of all earmarks they contain along with the identities of the lawmakers who requested the noncompetitive, directed appropriations, many of which go to colleges and which critics call pork-barrel