Earmarking should become a transparent and publicly monitored process  The use of earmarks has become progressively more transparent and accountable in recent years. [1] [2] There is now a Congressional database of earmark requests, a requirement on representatives and senators for disclosure on their websites, as well as a certification obligation that they declare that neither they nor their family will benefit from the requested appropriation. Earmarks are thus a “nonbureaucratic, transparent system of rapid-response grants for pressing local concerns”, something which is genuinely useful. [3] There however could be further reforms such as having committees authorize all spending and banning last minute vote buying. [4]  The attention given to earmarks by the media and campaigning groups means that requests now receive far more scrutiny than they did in the past so we can be sure that campaigners and the press will make sure what they do is benefiting their constituency. [5]  [1] Emanuel, Rahm, ‘Don’t Get Rid of Earmarks’, 2007  [2] Marlowe, Howard, ‘In defense of earmarks’, 2008  [3] Rauch, Jonathan, ‘Earmarks Are A Model, Not A Menace’, 2009  [4] Feehery, John, ‘Reform, don’t ban, earmarks’, 2009  [5] Sell, T.M., ‘A few kind words for earmarks’, 2009