Lawmakers Put Out New Call for Earmarks

From The New York Times:

The window for Congressional earmarks is open once again. Lawmakers from both parties are inviting constituents and lobbyists to recommend pet projects that could be financed by the federal government as the 2008 earmark season gets under way.

Undeterred by criticism from President Bush and Senator John McCain, the likely Republican presidential nominee, lawmakers have told outside groups to file all requests for earmarks within two weeks, so lawmakers can submit their proposals to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees by mid-March.