Pork Projects and Spending Decline in Democratic Congress

The "Pig Book" report, which details "pork" spending and programs in the federal budget, put out its fiscal year 2010 report.

Ironically, while the Republican Party has tried to claim the mantle of fiscal responsibility (despite the Reagan, Bush-41, and GW Bush eras of massive deficits), the report indicates that reforms put in place by the Democrats in 2006 have helped to decrease "pork" spending. The result for 2010 is a reduction of "pork" spending by 15.5% and a reduction in "pork" programs by 10.2% compared to 2009.

Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) had the highest number of "pork" projects at 240 projects worth about $490 million, also the highest cost.