Departing GOP leader dominates Senate earmark rankings - Roll Call

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has returned to the earmarking game with gusto, taking over the top slot in his chamber with almost a half-billion dollars set aside for Kentuckians in the fiscal 2025 spending bills.

McConnell joins three first -time earmarkers on the Republican side to push the number of GOP senators seeking home-state projects to 21 , the highest since earmarks’ return three years ago .

The Transportation - HUD bill, typically the most popular for earmarks, leads for total dollars at $2.1 billion .

Sen. Young secured $18.5 million for three EPA water infrastructure projects in Interior-Environment bill.

Budd-ing in Budd ’s inclusion on the list, with $15 million to build a combat arms training and maintenance complex at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base , is the biggest surprise.

Marshall has just one request — $4.2 million in the Agriculture bill for water management around Rattlesnake Creek in central Kansas .

Still, Budd ’s earmark jumps out, considering his past opposition to the practice. Asked for comment on his change of heart, a Budd spokesperson said: “As a member of the Armed Services Committee , Sen. Budd ’s top priority is to make sure the men and women at North Carolina’s military bases have the resources necessary to keep our nation strong and safe.”.