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Earmarks
As you know, there has been considerable debate about transparency in how federal dollars, particularly for earmark or special projects are spent. As a fiscal conservative, I have always worked hard to make sure that your tax dollars are spent wisely and, in order to do this, we must cut waste, fraud and inefficiency from the system. Recently, the House Republican Conference voted to impose a one-year moratorium on all earmark requests. As a result, our office will not submit earmark requests for any business, group or organization.
While we support the Conference decision on earmarks, it is my belief, that there are many valuable projects and programs that need federal dollars in order to grow and thrive. I must reiterate that my desire to do this is driven solely by what is best for my constituents and not by a hidden agenda for personal gain. Our office has participated in the earmark process, and I still think there is a place for members of Congress to recommend spending on specific projects in his or her district. The system has, however, become to flawed and viewed as tainted by the public, that we should scrap it and start over.
A ban on earmarks, without the corresponding cut in spending, would be a feel-good exercise in futility. Banning earmarks alone just means that unelected bureaucrats in Washington will decide where the money will be spent. To that end, I am a cosponsor of a resolution that would reduce federal spending by cutting the money that would have gone to earmark projects. Just ending earmarks will not save taxpayers one brown penny. You have to cut the funding that goes to the earmarks. That’s why this bill to cut the money is the companion piece that is needed.
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