Question

Why is the general public often critical of riders attached to bills in Congress? They are added in secret after the bill is voted on.

They are difficult to understand.


They are unconstitutional.


They funnel federal money into targeted areas.


Interest groups usually oppose them.

Answer 1

Not only are riders difficult to understand, they are impossible to understand in advance if they are done in secret. While they are not unconstitutional, they do funnel federal money into targeted areas because special interest groups SUPPORT, not oppose riders that favor their interests.