House Democrats and Republicans seek more than $20 billion in earmarks as once-maligned practice returns
Reporting and writing by Tony Romm; data analysis and graphics by Alyssa Fowers
I designed this graphic as an eye-catching way to show which parties and congresspeople were requesting the most money through earmarks. Lawmakers who requested earmarks each got their own square, which I sized and placed by hand to create the solid masses representing Democrats and Republicans. I created the core of the graphic over a single night shift, returning later to edit for clarity and style.
