Earmarks are part of the power of the purse  Earmarks are an important aspect of Congress’s proper powers and role within the constitution, they have been used since the early 19th Century. [1] The US Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse – exclusive authority over the raising of money and its appropriation to particular spending areas. Directing federal funds to individual projects at a local level is an important part of this; [2] indeed many Congressmen such as Rahm Emanuel consider it their duty for which they can be held accountable by voters. [3] It is part of having several layers of accountability and representation at the federal level, congressmen for local interests, Senators for states and the President for the whole country. [4] The unconstitutional alternative is for Congress to cede this power entirely to the executive branch.  [1] Plumber, Bradford, ‘The liberal case for pork’, 2006  [2] Feehery, John, ‘Reform, don’t ban, earmarks’, 2009  [3] Emanuel, Rahm, ‘Don’t Get Rid of Earmarks’, 2007  [4] Harris-Lacewell, Melissa, ‘In Defense of Earmarks’ 2009