An earmark is a provision inserted into a discretionary spending appropriations bill that directs funds to a specific recipient while circumventing the merit-based or competitive funds allocation process). Earmarks are funds provided by Congress for projects or programs that curtail the ability of the Executive Branch to manage critical aspects of the funds allocation process). The term "earmark" originated with farmers and ranchers who would cut the ears of their sheep, cattle, or other animals in a certain way to distinguish them from others.

Earmarks are very specific in how they can be used and the amount granted. Typically, a legislator seeks to insert earmarks that direct a specified amount of money to a particular organization or project in their home state or district). Members of Congress can request up to ten earmarks in each appropriations cycle, and with each of these requests, the members must submit a written justification for why their project is a good use of taxpayer dollars.

Earmarks can allow members of Congress to advocate for their constituents specific needs, and legislators appreciate that earmarks incentivize people to go along with a bill. Earmarks are only 1% of total federal discretionary spending, but they provide a significant opportunity for Congress to respond directly to needs across the state that might not otherwise receive sufficient attention, or to provide critical funding for a project to get started or achieve completion.

The House Rules impose disclosure requirements for earmarks, while a standing rule of the Republican Conference has, since the 114th Congress, imposed an "earmark moratorium"). However, earmarks returned beginning with Fiscal Year 2022, with stricter rules and more transparency.