We may be making Trent Lott tired, but data I just received today on the number of earmarks requested by members suggests that we're also making a difference.

The table below, from a Hill source, shows that for FY '07, the overall member requests dropped by 37% --- with every single Appropriations Subcommittee showing a decrease.

This is a single-source item, and so we can't completely vouch for its accuracy, but the source is a very credible one, so it meets my standard to be worth sharing. But assuming the numbers are accurate, they show that the public disgust with Congressional spending is indeed making an impact. So let's keep it up!

Appropriations Subcommittee	FY '06	FY '07	Change
Agriculture	2,387	1,651	-736	31% reduction
Defense	3,570	2,800	-770	22% reduction
Energy & Water	3,572	2,957	-615	17% reduction
Foreign Operations	356	279	-77	22% reduction
Homeland Security	1,244	607	-637	51% reduction
Interior & EPA	3,730	1,961	-1,769	47% reduction
Labor/HHS/Education	10,272	5,891	-4,381	43% reduction
Military Quality of Life/VA	772	700	-72	9% reduction
Science/State/Justice/Commerce	3,391	2,597	-794	23% reduction
Transportation/Treasury/HUD	5,393	2,420	-2,973	55% reduction
TOTAL	34,687	21,863	-12,824	37% reduction