This is a payment that is REQUIRED by an agreement that was made to settle a case with Native Americans and Black Farmers who claim they where discriminated against in securing loans for the purchase and upgrade of family farms.
The CBO and other internal watchdog organizations DO NOT classify this as an earmark. It is a way that Kyle has chosen to get the Government to fulfill it's LEGAL requirements to the people in his state.
The relevance and rationality of the payment is another matter, but it is by NO definition an earmark. What is the Quid Pro Quo? I am quite certain that few if any blacks voted for him,. they are not his constituency and never will be as long as Blacks stay on the Democrat Plantation.
The only earmarks people dislike are those for other states or other congressional districts.
Then why slip it in another bill?
I understand that some spending can and should be directed to states, by their senators and representatives, because these are the people who know, or should know, how to spend the money. There is nothing inherently wrong with a road, dam or defense installation.
What marks it as sleaze, is *ANY* circumstance where it is hidden in another bill, where attention is diverted, where open and full debate, facts and sunshine are missing- THAT is the ‘appearance of impropriety’ that should be harshly punished, no exceptions, no excuses.
If it ain't ‘pork’ it can stand on it's own, not hidden in a Defense bill or anywhere else.