Normally, during a recess period things are kind of quiet around Capitol Hill and you would think your pocketbook is safe.  However, the Appropriations Committee is as busy as ever.  Yesterday an email was circulated highlighting the backlog of earmark requests before the deadline(see below). 

Subject: URGENT -- EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE REQUESTS.  PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TO APPROPRIATE STAFF.

Dear Member Offices:

As a result of the massive influx of requests being submitted today, the Appropriations Committee website is experiencing unavoidable access and processing delays.

In order to accommodate Member offices attempting to input data, any request submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 24th will be considered as having been submitted “on time” for purposes of consideration by the Committee.

Even though we have made significant strides in getting the process reformed, the earmark gravy train moves forward.