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Pork barrel facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Pork barrel is the appropriation of government spending for localized projects that are secured primarily to bring money to a representative's district. The usage originated in American English. It was a reference to the custom of slave owners giving a gift of Salt pork in a barrel to their slaves. In election campaigns, the term is used in a negative way to attack opponents. However, scholars use it as a technical term regarding legislative control of local appropriations.

Images for kids

  • Pork barrel cartoon

    1917 cartoon from the New York World

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Pork barrel para niños

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Pork barrel Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.