House Democrats and Republicans seek more than $20 billion in earmarks as once-maligned practice returns By Tony Romm and Alyssa Fowers Washington Post,Updated May 14, 2021, 1 hour ago Email to a Friend Representative Rosa DeLauro, Democrat of Connecticut, during a hearing on Capitol Hill in June. DeLauro, the chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, unveiled a proposal for bringing back the earmark practice.DOUG MILLS/NYT WASHINGTON â The return of congressional earmarks has sparked a massive dash for cash on Capitol Hill, where more than 300 House Democrats and Republicans have sought nearly $21 billion in federal funding to help their home districts and pet projects â and shore up their reelection prospects.