Bill > HR3707

This bill, the Earmark Elimination Act of 2011, makes it out of order in the House of Representatives to consider any legislation, including bills, joint resolutions, amendments, or conference reports, that contains a "congressional earmark," which is defined as a provision or report language requested by a Member of Congress that directs specific spending for a contract, loan, grant, or other expenditure to a particular entity or location, unless it's through a standard formula or competitive process. The bill also prohibits consideration of legislation with "limited tax benefits," which are tax breaks benefiting 10 or fewer individuals or entities, or providing temporary relief from tax code changes, and "limited tariff benefits," which modify trade rules to benefit 10 or fewer entities. If a point of order is raised and sustained against such a provision, it will be removed from the measure, and specific procedures are outlined for handling conference reports and amendments between the House and Senate when these provisions are found. The bill also amends House Rules to reflect these prohibitions.