What's the diff. between "normal appropriations process" and "ear marks"?

[napi21]

Last night on MSNBC they said "We stated that McNuts earmarked $XX for some project in Az. but we've since found out that THAT $$ was granted through the normal appropriations process and not an ear mark. We appologize for the error."

He STILL took the $$ for his home State, didn't he?

[Fridays Child]

1. I'd like to know the answer to this, as well. eom

[onenote]

2. one possible distinction: appropriations contained specifically in law

as opposed to directions regarding spending found in the legislative history. The latter are what typically are referred to as earmarks.

In other words, in some instances the approps bill will specifically include language designating how a particular sum is to be spent. In other instances, the approps bill simply grants a sum to a program or agency and then the legislative history contains a series of specific earmarks that tell the agency how to spend the money.

Not sure if that's the distinction MSNBC was trying to draw or not.

[mac56]

3. Lipstick?

nm