Democrats’ newest midterm pitch: A crackdown on corruption

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., arrive to speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 22, 2018. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., arrive to speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 22, 2018.

Lawmakers see path to bringing back earmarks

Lawmakers from both parties expressed support on Wednesday for reversing the House's ban on earmarks, despite skepticism from key conservatives who originally pushed to end the practice nearly a decade ago. The overwhelming consensus at a House Rules Committee hearing on Wednesday was that allowing members of Congress to authorize pet projects back in their districts makes them more effective at their jobs.