“Earmarking is a corrupt practice, plain and simple,” says Andy Roth, a vice president at the conservative Club for Growth. “Voters understand that, but insecure politicians do not. And that’s why the old adage that pork buys you votes doesn’t work. It costs you votes.”

Earlier this year, Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who also sits on the committee, lost her primary challenge to Gov. Rick Perry. Perry’s strategy was to run against Washington spending — and it worked.

It’s also worth noting that U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett, who was ousted at a Utah GOP state convention earlier this year, also sat on the panel.