Republicans are clashing over the return of earmarks in the fiscal 2026 appropriations bills, pitting fiscal conservatives against Appropriations Committee members seeking to direct federal funds to their states.

Conservatives criticize earmarks as “pork-barrel spending” that worsens the $37 trillion national debt, with some pushing for stop-gap measures to freeze spending.

Senators like Mike Lee, Ron Johnson, and Rick Scott have proposed stricter rules, including rescinding earmarks if used for political promotion.

Meanwhile, Appropriations chairs like Susan Collins defend earmarks as necessary for state priorities, and requests for congressionally directed spending have surged, totaling nearly $8 billion in the House, The Hill has reported.

The dispute highlights broader tensions over federal spending after President Trump’s $3.4 trillion “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which disappointed fiscal hawks by failing to cut more costs.