SENATE STRIPS EARMARKS FROM 'BRIDGES TO NOWHERE' - But Federal Money Will Still Go To Alaska

UPDATE: Unfortunately, it was only a mirage, with the expectation we would walk away "fulfilled" that the pork was stripped. Not so:

"It's largely symbolic," said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who would have preferred to strike all $24 billion in special projects that members stuffed into the highway bill. "The money will still go to Alaska," as opposed to the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast, or to fund other budget priorities, McCain said.

It just gets reduced from a bill particular to a state choice of what to do with the money. The fucking federal money will still go to Alaska.

----- Bumped from earlier date

YIPPPEEEE! They finally axed those Alaskan bridge pork projects.

The Senate Appropriations Committee removed earmarks for two controversial "bridges to nowhere" in Alaska: the Gravina bridge, which would connect Ketchikan to an island of 50 people, and the Knik Arm bridge, which would link Anchorage to a sparsely populated area. The projects have been the subject of strong criticism because of the general backlog of existing roads and bridges in desperate need of repair, especially those affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. According to the National Association of Civil Engineers, one in four bridges nationwide is structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, not including the damage from Katrina and Rita.