The senator added many small projects to the Christmas tree bill.
Christmas tree bill
idiomA bill consisting of many riders that attracts many, often unrelated, floor amendments, which may provide special benefits to various groups or interests.
Origin
disputed originFrom Christmas tree + bill.
Because the budget proposal became a Christmas tree bill, it included funding for dozens of unrelated local projects to gain enough votes.
Legislators often load a Christmas tree bill with diverse amendments to ensure broad support, even if the resulting legislation lacks a cohesive purpose.
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bark up the wrong tree
To take the wrong approach to a situation; to follow a false lead; to attempt to solve a problem using mistaken assumptions about its true nature.
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bill of goods
A set of misleading or deceptive claims.
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butcher's bill
death toll
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cancel someone's Christmas
To kill or destroy someone.
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Christmas come early
Something very delightful or fortunate that is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.
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Christmas graduate
A freshman who drops out of college at the end of the first semester.
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dead tree edition
The physical, printed version of a publication.
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fall out of the ugly tree and hit every branch
To become extremely unattractive.