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Earmarks
Related Resources (government documents and letters)
POGO Files
Congress Unwilling To Abide By Competitive Contracting Rules For Congressional Earmarks
November 5, 2007
POGO's letter to Senators Levin and McCain regarding protecting the integrity of earmark reform
May 23, 2007
POGO Report Uncovers Bajagua’s Murky Deal
April 4, 2006
The Politics of Contracting: Bajagua's No-Bid Deal There is no reason for the U.S. government to avoid competition for ownership and operation of wastewater treatment plants, whether they are located in the U.S.or in other countries. However, Bajagua Project, LLC, has effectively utilized the standard avenues of influence – campaign contributions, the revolving door, and lobbying – to apply pressure on the company's behalf. As a result, a number of Members of Congress designed legislation to deliver a sole-source contract for the construction and operation of a wastewater treatment facility in Mexico. Going even further, some Members of Congress and current and former government employees went to bat for the company after the legislation passed, pressuring or lobbying several government agencies to move faster and actually award the contract to Bajagua.
March 31, 2006
U.S. Strong Arms Mexican Government on Water Project: Political Influence Behind $600 Million No-Bid Contract
December 21, 2005
POGO letter to Commissioner Marin with the US Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission regarding a sole-source contract
December 20, 2005
Related Resources
Letter from International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to Rep. "Duke" Cunningham
Debra J. Little, Acting Commissioner,
October 27, 2003
Letter from the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to Rep. "Duke" Cunningham
Debra J. Little, Acting Commissioner, International Boundary and Water Commission United States and Mexico
September 22, 2003
POGO in the News
Inouye's earmarks go to his donors, By Herbert Sample, Associated Press, December 9, 2009
Earmarks’ cash flow lifts firms, lobbyists, lawmakers, By Brian Bender, Boston Globe, November 12, 2009
Analysts: Ethics probe won't imperil Defense earmarks, By Megan Scully, Congress Daily, November 3, 2009
Firms that donate to Inouye receive his earmarks, By Herbert Sample, Associated Press, The Buffalo News, November 2, 2009
Wicker's Earmark Elicits Criticism: Watchdogs Decry $6 Million for Contractor, By Matthew Mosk, Washington Post, January 16, 2008
Millions in Earmarks Purchase Little of Use, By Robert O'Harrow Jr., Washington Post, December 29, 2007
No-Bid Earmarks?, POGO, The Hill Congress Blog, November 6, 2007
Watchdogs push for limits on contractor earmarks, by Elise Castelli, Federal Times, November 6, 2007
Watchdogs push for limits on contractor earmarks , By ELISE CASTELLI , Federaltimes.com, November 6, 2007
How ferry project, pushed by Sen. Stevens, floated, by Matt Kelley, USA Today, September 27, 2007
Hawks and Hogs: Why no one dares attack the waste in defense spending, by David Weigel, ReasonOnline, July 1, 2007
OMB: Let's hear it on earmarks, with Hillary Wicai, Marketplace, June 1, 2007
OMB tracking billions in pork-project earmarks, , Marketplace Radio, April 6, 2007
White House posts details of lawmakers' pet projects, By Nicole Gaouette and Tom Hamburger (Los Angeles Times Staff Writers), Houston Chronicle , March 4, 2007
No money specifically set for Bajagua project, by Mike Lee, San Diego Union-Tribune, February 6, 2007
Smell test: how politics influenced a big clean-up deal, by Scot J. Paltrow, Wall Street Journal, January 29, 2007
Pentagon Silent on Inquiry into Cunningham Contracts: It Still Isn't Known if Bribery Tainted Defense Projects, by Otto Kreisher, San Diego Union-Tribune, August 4, 2006
Senate Agrees to Disclose Earmarks in Defense Bill, by Megan Scully, CongressDaily, May 29, 2006
Group examines Cheney's role in Bajagua pact , By Caitlin Rother, San Diego Union-Tribune, March 31, 2006
Goode's ties with MZM put cloud over Martinsville deal , By Laurence Hammack, Roanoke Times, December 11, 2005
Smelling Money in Sewage: Area firm hopes to sign no-bid deal with U.S. agency to treat Tijuana region's polluted water, then recycle it, By Mike Lee and Terry Rodgers, San Diego Union-Tribune, November 13, 2005
Cunningham defends deal with defense firm's owner, By Marcus Stern, Copley News Service, San Diego Union Tribune, June 12, 2005
