SAMDT 3428 — To limit disclosures regarding earmarks.

AMENDS

AMENDMENT PROGRESS

STEP 3 OF 3

Proposed

Considered

Disposed

Proposed
Considered
Disposed

DISPOSITION

FAILED

AUG 1, 2025

“Amendment SA 3428 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 21 - 75. Record Vote Number: 478.”

what this changes

This amendment tried to reduce the amount of public information available about 'earmarks,' which are special funds set aside for specific local projects requested by individual members of Congress. It would have limited the disclosures that help the public see which lawmakers are asking for specific pots of money and what that money is for.

WHY IT MATTERS

Earmarks are often a point of debate because they allow lawmakers to bypass traditional competitive bidding for local projects. Transparency rules are designed to prevent corruption and allow voters to see how their representatives are spending taxpayer money.

WHO IS AFFECTED

This primarily affects government watchdog groups and taxpayers who track government spending, as well as lawmakers who would have had less public reporting required for their specific project requests.

AMENDS

HR 3944RESOLVING DIFFERENCES

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026

OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THIS BILL

KEY POINTS

low

Transparency restriction

The amendment sought to limit the public's ability to see the details of specific spending projects added by individual politicians.

low

Focus on earmarks

Earmarks are specific budget allocations for local projects that don't always go through the standard agency review process.

low

Failed vote

A large majority of senators (75 out of 100) voted against this change, indicating strong support for maintaining current disclosure rules.

GLOSSARY

Earmark: A provision inserted into a spending bill that directs funds to a specific recipient, project, or geographic location, often requested by a specific member of Congress.
Disclosure: The act of making information public, such as publishing reports on where government money is being spent.

Official sources

SAMDT 3428 on Congress.gov

This analysis used: Amendment purpose · Latest action · Amended bill: summary

ACTION TIMELINE

7 EVENTS

AUG 1, 25

Amendment SA 3428 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 21 - 75. Record Vote Number: 478.

FLOOR

AUG 1, 25

Amendment SA 3428 proposed by Senator Johnson to Amendment SA 3411. (consideration: CR S5197-5198) To limit disclosures regarding earmarks.

FLOOR

AUG 1, 25

INTROREFERRAL

AUG 1, 25

Senate amendment proposed (on the floor): Amendment SA 3428 proposed by Senator Johnson to Amendment SA 3411.

FLOOR

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To limit disclosures regarding earmarks.

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To limit disclosures regarding earmarks.

AMENDS

AMENDMENT PROGRESS

DISPOSITION

WHY IT MATTERS

WHO IS AFFECTED

KEY POINTS

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To limit disclosures regarding earmarks.

AMENDS

SUMMARY

KEY POINTS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

AMENDMENT INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

To limit disclosures regarding earmarks.

AMENDS

AMENDMENT PROGRESS

DISPOSITION

WHY IT MATTERS

WHO IS AFFECTED

KEY POINTS

GLOSSARY

Official sources

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion