Adequate military pensions, Jones says, are a debt of gratitude to veterans, and decent housing is the least the country can provide for today's soldiers willing to lay down their lives. Democratic Rep. Mel Watt of Charlotte doesn't have a problem with any of these explanations. In fact, he helped Burr's predecessor, Stephen Neal, obtain funding for the nutrition center, which is located just across from a section of Watt's own district in Forsyth County. Watt, though, is amused by the Republican freshmen's attempts to square their newfound passion for pork with their earlier disdain. But you're never going to get a member of Congress to define pork as anything in their district.
Pork is always something somebody else is getting.
There's a balancing act to be done between representing your district, promoting its interests and helping the folks at home, and being fiscally responsible. With the Republicans in control of Congress, Peterson says, it is more difficult to get money for local needs. Budget cuts are in place, and the rate of increase in federal spending is slowing. It's no longer a given that you're going to get the money. It certainly makes you prioritize.