The Obama administration’s vow to push back on pork have yet to translate into results, as an analysis by Taxpayers for Common Sense shows that Congress has spent $15.9 billion on district-specific earmarks in 2010, a slight increase or slight decrease from 2009 levels, depending on how one defines pork. And that number could increase if earmarks are added an emergency war funding bill to be considered later thsi year

Figures are somewhat tricky to nail down since the Obama administration has routed some local projects traditionally fed by the earmark machine — such as Army Corps of Engineers funding — through his annual budget request. But the gist of the report is that 2010 represented more business as usual:

“High levels of special interest spending remain and powerful lawmakers are hoarding cash for their districts while the rest of the Congress fights for table scraps,” said Ryan Alexander, president of Taxpayers for Common Sense.
“Spending should be a meritocracy,” she added. “Instead of simply rewarding the constituents or campaign contributors of the politically powerful, our taxpayer dollars must be spent on only the most critical and important projects
nationwide.”