what kind of spending received criticism?
congressional "earmarks"
what is their total in dollars?
almost $8 billion
what is another term used by critics for these expenditures?
"pork-barrel" projects
How long will this bill keep the government funded for?
through the end of the fiscal year
who promised to curtail wasteful spending?
President Obama
what is his excuse for the spending?
holdover from the previous Congress
What does McCain think should be done with the bill?
presidential veto
Has anyone else recommended the bill be vetoed?
yes
who?
Republican critics
who leads them?
House Minority Leader John Boehner
where is he from?
Ohio
who put the earmarks into the bill?'
Democratic and Republican lawmakers
were Democrats concerned about a filibuster?
yes
how many votes did they need to avoid one?
60
in which year did McCain and Obama both run for president?
2008
has McCain always been critical of too much spending?
yes
how many earmarks were put in the bill?
more than 8,000