Obama: Earmark Reform In the face of challenging times for Congress

America doesnt play for second place. Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. President Barack Obama has called for Congress to address the issue of earmarks after previously calling for new limitations on them and in the face of challenging times for Congress to work across the aisle to address the issue to restore the publics trust signal the governments commitment to fiscal responsibility while shining a light on a Washington habit that wastes billions of taxpayer dollars. Listen to his WEEKLY ADDRESS below.   The Obama Administration has put in place higher standards of transparency including www.earmarks.gov.  This week the Administration updated www.earmarks.gov with more information about where last years earmarks were actually spent and made it easier to look up members of Congress and the earmarks they fought for.  The full audio of the Presidents Address (below) can be heard HERE or be viewed by video online at www.whitehouse.gov.

Remarks of President Barack Obama Weekly Address -- November 13 2010

This weekend Im concluding a trip to Asia whose purpose was to open new markets for American products in this fast-growing part of the world. The economic battle for these markets is fierce and were up against strong competitors. But as Ive said many times America doesnt play for second place. The future were fighting for isnt as the worlds largest importer consuming products made elsewhere but as the worlds largest manufacturer of ideas and goods sold around the world. Opening new markets will not only help Americas businesses create new jobs for American workers. It will also help us reduce our deficits because the single greatest tool for getting our fiscal house in order is robust economic growth. That kind of growth will require ensuring:

1. that our students are getting the best education possible;
2. that were on the cutting edge of research and development; and
3. that were rebuilding our roads and railways runways and ports so our infrastructure is up to the challenges of the 21^st century. 

Given the deficits that have mounted up over the past decade we cant afford to make these investments unless were also willing to cut what we dont need. Thats why Ive submitted to Congress a plan for a three-year budget freeze and Im prepared to offer additional savings.  But as we work to reform our budget Congress should also put some skin in the game. I agree with those Republican and Democratic members of Congress whove recently said that in these challenging days we cant afford what are called earmarks. These are items inserted into spending bills by members of Congress without adequate review. Now some of these earmarks support worthy projects in our local communities. But many others do not. We cant afford Bridges to Nowhere like the one that was planned a few years back in Alaska. Earmarks like these represent a relatively small part of overall federal spending. But when it comes to signaling our commitment to fiscal responsibility addressing them would have an important impact. As a Senator I helped eliminate anonymous earmarks and created new measures of transparency so Americans can better follow how their tax dollars are being spent. As President time and again Ive called for new limitations on earmarks. Weve reduced the cost of earmarks by over $3 billion. And weve put in place higher standards of transparency by putting as much information as possible on earmarks.gov. In fact this week we updated the site with more information about where last years earmarks were actually spent and made it easier to look up Members of Congress and the earmarks they fought for. Today we have a chance to go further. We have a chance to not only shine a light on a bad Washington habit that wastes billions of taxpayer dollars but take a step towards restoring public trust. We have a chance to advance the interests not of Republicans or Democrats but of the American people; to put our country on the path of fiscal discipline and responsibility that will lead to a brighter economic future for all. And thats a future I hope we can reach across party lines to build together.