Question

In relation to the Federal government, when Congress or the president spends money unwisely or on unimportant things, it is called _____ spending.

Answer 1

The correct answer is pork barrel spending.

Pork barrel spending ( sometimes called earmarking ) is a metaphor for government's spending on localized projects in order to please or win voters in a representative's district.

A politician promises his voters financial support for a project or investment, so that they vote for him in an election.

Pork barrel spending may help some bills pass through the legislative process, but it is usually considered a wasteful use of tax payers funds because it benefits selected constituencies of Congressional members and not the country as a whole.

Answer 2

Pork barrel spending.