Topic: Tom Schatz

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Chapter & Verse
State Department spends $70,000 on Obama's books – and stirs a controversy

The US State Department calls the purchase of Obama's books "standard practice," but critics call it "inappropriate."
With big spending bill's demise, is 'earmark' new dirty word on Hill?

Deficit hawks and watchdog groups see Thursday's demise of an omnibus spending bill in the Senate as a turning point. A critical mass of lawmakers, they say, are committed to an earmark ban.
Will Harry Reid keep the Senate in session through Christmas?

Senate majority leader Harry Reid wants to take up a slew of important issues after the tax deal is passed – from a $1.2 trillion budget bill to a repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell.'
Pressure building to cut US deficit

The public pressure for reducing the country's ballooning deficit is rising, but will policy makers listen?
Obama's budget whacks 121 programs

In a $3.5 trillion spending plan released Thursday, the White House proposes $17 billion in cuts – including some items that President Bush also tried to ax.
'Pig Book': Congressional 'pork' hits $19.6 billion in 2009

Citizens Against Government Waste released its annual report on 'pork barrel' projects Tuesday.
Pesky earmarks still in eye of budget storm

‘Member projects’ are a tiny part of the federal budget, but they’re a problem for Obama.
Despite earmark reforms, 'pork' spending rises

The 2008 'Pig Book' says Congress spent $17.2 billion on pet projects in fiscal '08. But now it's easier to tell who did it.