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Congressman Barrett Revises Earmark Policy
Monday March 17, 2008Announces need for reform in Eight Point Pledge
Click to view press conference photos
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Gresham Barrett (SC, 03), Vice Ranking Member on the House Budget Committee, held a press conference today, January 22nd, 2008, in Easley, S.C., to announce his new office policy for earmark requests outlined within an eight point pledge to his constituents for a more transparent process.
“The rate at which the federal government is spending money has been a concern of mine since being elected to office over five years ago,” said Congressman Barrett. “The entire Congressional process needs to change to be more transparent and give Members the ability to debate and defend projects on the House floor. Until a significant change occurs in Washington, D.C., I have revised my process as to how to handle funding requests for projects affecting the Third District and South Carolina.”
To bring transparency to the earmark process, at the press conference today Congressman Barrett announced his new eight point pledge regarding earmarks. Within the pledge he promised to publish all earmarked requests that he makes to the House Appropriations Committee on his website in full view for the public. Also under his new policy, his staff has been instructed not to request project funding unless it pertains to infrastructure needs or National Security under the categories of military, national defense or energy independence.
Congressman Barrett is conscious that many Members have taken the federal funding for granted and have been fiscally irresponsible with taxpayer’s dollars. Over the years, Members have been granted funding for numerous unnecessary projects for their districts which have pushed federal funding into a tailspin.
Congressman Barrett’s new policy doesn’t get rid of earmarks because he understands the needs of his district better than any bureaucrat in D.C. However, too frequently, Members of Congress have used the funds unethically. When used properly, Congressman Barrett believes earmarks serve a good purpose by directing federal funds to necessary state projects.
“While I do not believe that all earmarks for projects in Members’ districts are bad, I do acknowledge that the system as it exists is broken and out of control. I have revised my earmark process in the hopes that we can move toward real reform to shine sunlight on the process,” said Congressman Barrett.
Earmarks are congressional provisions that authorize funding for specific projects within appropriations bills passed by Congress. Typically, legislators seek to insert earmarks to direct a specified amount of money to a particular organization or project in his/her home state or district.Congressman Barrett welcomes input from constituents on appropriations projects to benefit South Carolina and local communities.
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