Keeping a Place at the Trough

Sen. Tom Coburn (R., Okla.) tried to remove from the Defense-appropriations bill tens of millions in operational funds for the National Drug Intelligence Center in Johnstown, Pa., widely perceived as an unmitigated waste of taxpayers’ money. He received the support of only 23 Republicans, less than half the caucus, even though the Bush administration, the Justice Department and one of NDIC’s own former directors consider the center a total waste of the $500 million it has received over the last decade. It has survived as long as it has only because Rep. Jack Murtha (D., Pa.) views it as a jobs program for his district (this was the earmark over which Murtha threatened a Republican colleague in May).

David Freddoso

For those who still believe there are two distinct political parties in America.