Robert P. Casey Jr.
Pa.'s Freshman Lawmakers Top In Earmarks
December 14, 2007
Source: The Bulletin
By Bradley Vasoli
Pennsylvania's freshman Democrat members of Congress have brought more taxpayer money to projects in their districts than have other members newly elected in 2006, a taxpayer watchdog group has found.
The D.C.-based, nonpartisan Taxpayers for Common Sense has compiled the amount of "earmarked" spending that freshman federal lawmakers have secured. These provisions allow members of Congress to insert taxpayer dollars into spending bills for special projects, usually undertaken by companies headquartered in their districts.
Although a common practice, the executive-run Office of Management and Budget defines earmarks as "funds provided by the Congress for projects or programs where the congressional direction (in bill or report language) circumvents the merit-based or competitive allocation process, or specifies the location or recipient, or otherwise curtails the ability of the Executive Branch to properly manage funds." Normally, Congress will designate money to federal agencies for broad purposes and those agencies will determine which private entities are paid to complete individual projects.
Garnering more cash than any other new members in support of special projects was Rep. Chris Carney (D-Pennsylvania), who beat longtime Republican incumbent Don Sherwood last year. Mr. Carney, who represents a huge swath of northern Pennsylvania including the city of Williamsport, brought in $18,185,000 in earmarks.
Many of the projects the members have promoted are military. Funds Mr. Carney earmarked include $2 million for influenza vaccine development, $1 million for the manufacturing of high-powered lasers and creation of methane fuel cells components.
Sen. Robert Casey, a Democrat who defeated two-term Republican Rick Santorum in 2006, secured $16,649,579, the second-highest amount of freshman-earmarked taxpayer money.
Locally, Bucks County-area Rep. Patrick Murphy and Delaware County-area Rep. Joe Sestak rank fourth and fifth among freshman lawmakers securing the most in earmarked allocations. The two Democrats brought in $11,822,500 and $11,175,000 respectively. Mr. Murphy beat freshman incumbent Republican Mike Fitzpatrick last year and Mr. Sestak bested longtime incumbent Republican Curt Weldon.
Mr. Sestak said earmarks can serve an important purpose if they're not made prodigally. He noted the number of earmarks had totaled 13,500 in 2006 under Republican control of Congress. Spending on earmarks declined by 50 percent in 2007, he said.
"They were being spent on egregious projects and we needed to put a tongue-suppressor on that," he told The Bulletin. "I believe we can continue to decrease them."
Mr. Sestak mentioned he has a policy of refusing campaign contributions from any company who benefits from an earmark he sponsors. He also said that Congress now requires legislators earmarking funds to specify themselves as the requesters, specify the recipients and establish that neither they nor their family members will benefit from the allocations.Ranking third among freshman earmark spenders was Rep. Jason Altmire, who defeated three-term Republican Melissa Hart. The Aliquippa-area lawmaker earmarked $12,475,000 in taxpayer money.
