In a symbolic action that their members will violate repeatedly, Senate Republicans voted to continue their stated earmark ban, a public statement that they would not seek mark-ups to legislation that would direct funding to their states, Roll Call reports.
The caucus did not vote on the earmark ban; they continued the status quo from the previous session’s Party rules. That includes the fact that the caucus’s ban on earmarks isn’t binding to any member of the caucus.
“The rules, as I understand it, are not binding on individual members. So I think we’ll see what people do and what people will refrain,” Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn said.
Cornyn called “aspirational” another non-binding rule the caucus adopted: that any call for a spending increase be accompanied by a corresponding spending cut. Again, no member is bound to adhere to this rule.
“We don’t have to approve anything,” Alabama Republican Richard said Wednesday before the meeting. “They’re allowed under the rules. They’ve never been disallowed. That’s not a rule. That’s a statement of the caucus. It doesn’t bind anybody.”