The number of earmarks has increased dramatically for 2012 , the Pig Book report says . Some projects are still finding their way into the bills despite a voluntary ban . But critics say the funding awards do not undergo the same scrutiny as other spending and tend to reflect the influence individual lawmakers wield in Congress , rather than merit . A tank upgrade program and fish hatchery projects are also highlighted by the report . The supposed ban on pork barrel spending has damaged transparency , its authors say .
The number of earmarks has increased dramatically for 2012 , the Pig Book report says . Some projects are still finding their way into the bills despite a voluntary ban . A tank upgrade program and fish hatchery projects are also highlighted by the report . The supposed ban on pork barrel spending has damaged transparency , its authors say .