Sen. McCain, Rep. Flake to testify on Congress’ ‘favor factory’
March 14, 2006
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, will hold a hearing at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 16, titled, “Earmark Reform: Understanding the Obligation of Funds Transparency Act.” Senator John McCain, Congressman Jeff Flake and others will testify for underlying need for earmark reform.
“The need for earmark reform has become even more apparent in the wake of recent congressional scandals. The American people realize that before Congress reforms the lobbying industry, it needs to reform itself. Lobbyists are only a symptom of the disease. Reducing or eliminating earmarks will check the power of lobbyists and help rein in the culture of spending in Washington,” Dr. Coburn said.
“The earmark ‘favor factory,’ a term coined by Jack Abramoff, is jeopardizing the financial future of our children and grandchildren. We are poised to be the first generation in history to leave our children a financial future worse than the one we inherited. If Congress fails to enact meaningful reforms that restrain earmarking, the American people will enact reform through the ballot box in November,” Dr. Coburn said.
“Contrary to some revisionists, stuffing pork into every spending bill is a relatively new phenomenon in Washington,” Dr. Coburn added. “As a first step, Congress must bring more sunshine and transparency into this process. Inserting earmarks into conference reports under the cover of darkness bypasses congressional oversight and public scrutiny. American taxpayers have a right to know how their hard-earned money is being spent.”
According to Congressional Research Services, the number of earmarks in appropriations bills increased 325 percent in the past ten years, from 3,023 earmarks in fiscal year 1996 to 12,852 in fiscal year 2006. The cost of earmarks increased 228 percent, from $19.5 billion in fiscal year 1996 to $64 billion in fiscal year 2006.
TITLE: “Earmark Reform: Understanding the Obligation of Funds Transparency Act”
TIME/LOCATION: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 16
342 Senate Dirksen Building
PANEL I: The Honorable John McCain
U.S. Senator, Arizona
PANEL II: The Honorable Jeff Flake
Congressman, Arizona
PANEL III: Tom Schatz
President
Council for Citizens Against Government Waste
Steve Ellis
Vice President of Programs
Taxpayers for Common Sense
Scott Lilly
Senior Fellow
Center for American Progress
