By Bobby Eberle
Published: 06-13-07
Published: 06-13-07
When the Democrats took over the House of Representatives one of first statements out of the mouth of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (and other Democrats) was that this new Congress would be the “most ethical ever.” Now it seems that they are changing their tune in their zeal to keep their pet pork projects away from the eyes of the American people.As noted in the Washington Times Democrat leaders in the House are reversing the work of Republicans regarding what is known as “earmark reform.” The 2006 legislation would: allow lawmakers to vote on individual earmarks specific funding requests attached to larger bills that often are called “pork” — a process Democrats have said they will not use as Congress considers the 12 annual spending bills.
Despite efforts by the Democrats to keep spending on pork projects hidden from public debate House Minority Leader John Boehner and other GOP leaders are seeking to actually move Congress in a more ethical direction. Boehner introduced a resolution on Tuesday that would “force the Democratic leadership in the House to restore Republican earmark reforms enacted last year.”
In a statement released by Boehner’s office the Republican leader notes that “Democrats led by Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI) have gutted those earmark reforms this year refusing to allow members to challenge potentially wasteful spending on the House floor and instead setting up multi-billion dollar slush funds for secret earmarks.”
Boehner said:
“The leaders of the current majority are seeking to avoid the real transparency and accountability we instituted last year. They’ve traded earmark transparency for earmark secrecy and American taxpayers deserve better.
“The earmark process outlined yesterday by Mr. Obey is a sham. Democrats are keeping earmark requests secret until after the House has considered appropriations spending bills preventing us from debating earmarks on the House floor and subjecting them to scrutiny.
They want the House to approve massive slush funds for secret earmarks — billions of dollars for whatever Rep. Obey and his colleagues to spend as they see fit. This isn’t transparent. This isn’t accountable. It is outrageous and Republicans are going to fight it on behalf of American taxpayers.”
They want the House to approve massive slush funds for secret earmarks — billions of dollars for whatever Rep. Obey and his colleagues to spend as they see fit. This isn’t transparent. This isn’t accountable. It is outrageous and Republicans are going to fight it on behalf of American taxpayers.”
The American people made it clear in the last election that they want to clear up corruption.
They are sick and tired of politics as usual. This issue is a winning one for Republicans if they can stick to their guns and return to being the party of reform. Republicans have a lot of work to do to restore the faith that the American people bestowed upon them when they were elected to lead during the 1990s and early 2000s. There is no better time than now to start.
They are sick and tired of politics as usual. This issue is a winning one for Republicans if they can stick to their guns and return to being the party of reform. Republicans have a lot of work to do to restore the faith that the American people bestowed upon them when they were elected to lead during the 1990s and early 2000s. There is no better time than now to start.
