GOP Senators Oppose Own Earmarks

Behold the hypocrisy: Several Republican senators are now opposing the omnibus spending bill because they say it has too many earmarks—including their own. Senate Minority Mitch McConnell, for example, says he is “actively working to defeat” the bill, even though he has larded it with over $5 million in earmarks for Kentucky. Senators John Kyl and John Thune are also railing against the bill despite inserting earmarks for their state. If the Senate fails to pass a bill, the federal government will shut down; Republicans who are opposing it are urging the passage of a short-term funding measure.