What is meant by “pork barrel” legislation?
Laurel, MD – 5/3/00 “Pork barrel” came into use as a political term in the post-Civil War era. It recalls the practice of plantation owners who would often hand out rations of salt pork to their slaves, distributing them from wooden barrels. When used in reference to a particular bill, it implies the legislation is loaded with goodies for Members of Congress to distribute to their constituents back home as an act of largesse, courtesy of the federal taxpayer. There is often disagreement about just what defines a pork barrel project. What one Member perceives as an important improvement for his district or state, another might view as an unfair distribution of federal funds. Those that use the term in a pejorative sense are critical of the fact that a specific project benefits only one district or region, and that similar benefits do not flow to other areas in the nation with similar needs. It is also true that not all Members are equally able to “bring home the bacon.” Pork barrel bene
