Member projects or “earmarks” play an important role in our communities when they put federal dollars to good use, whether it’s to rebuild a road, or assist a hospital with a new project to save lives. Directing federal funding is part of the constitutional responsibility of Members of Congress, and I support doing it in a way that is accountable, transparent, and through a system the public can trust.
Last year, I took a moratorium from submitting member projects to lead by example and try to reform a broken system that has wasted taxpayer dollars and been abused for personal gain. While some progress has been made over the last year to bring greater transparency to the system, we have not yet achieved the changes needed in the way the federal government spends your tax dollars on local projects.
Since Congress won’t act to protect taxpayers, I will. That’s why I’m introducing comprehensive earmark reform legislation to ensure real transparency and accountability in the appropriations process, and encouraging Congress to adopt the same high standards to which I will hold any local projects I submit.
I have always supported the directive vested in the Constitution for Congress to appropriate federal funding, but doing it in a way that is accountable, transparent, and through a system the public can trust.
Below, you can read more about my system and principles on member projects for the Eighth Congressional District.
I believe in a reformed system reflecting the following principles:
Congressional earmarks should be justified and vetted, transparent and open to public scrutiny. Debates over the merits of project requests are valuable, necessary, and a vital part of legislating and demands responsible spending.
Transparency creates accountability. With a transparent process, Members can and will be held accountable to the information reported to the public. The public will have access to all information, and full knowledge of how their tax dollars are being spent.
Earmarks must work for the public good. Earmarks shouldn’t be banned simply because some members abuse the system. We must reform it and make it work in a responsible manner that has a public benefit. NO MORE BRIDGES TO NOWHERE.
Earmarks provide for the needs and priorities of our communities and neighborhoods. Directing federal funding is part of the constitutional responsibility of Members of Congress, and I will not abdicate this responsibility to other branches of government.
Bureaucrats don’t know what our neighborhoods need, you do. You should have a say in how your money is spent.
