Paul Votes Against Largest Pork Spending Bill in U.S. History

Washington, DC:  Congressman Ron Paul cast a strong “NO” vote against the last huge spending measure of the year on Monday, rejecting the irresponsible special interest pork found in the 1,100 page bill.  The so-called “omnibus” appropriations bill for 2004, the single largest spending bill ever passed by Congress, represents one-third of the entire federal budget for 2003!

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Paul stated.  “This bill was naked pork, pure and simple. Federal deficits have reached all-time highs, and the recent Medicare boondoggle will add trillions to the federal debt-- the last thing taxpayers need is another huge spending bill!  The annual appropriations bills are no longer large enough to satisfy the big-spenders in Washington, so the omnibus bill has become a way for Congress to reward every last special interest as a year-end treat.  It is unconscionable for Congress to burden future generations with this new debt."

The mammoth spending bill weighs in at a hefty $820 billion, with staggering amounts of pork for every conceivable special interest.  Here are just a few brief examples of the ridiculous pork that you will be paying for: 

                -$16,000 for the National Distance Running Hall of Fame in New York;                 -$75,000 for the U.S. Dream Academy in Maryland;                 -$500,000 for “LOVE” Social Services in Alaska;                 -$325,000 for a swimming pool in California;                 -$400,000 for a music museum in Iowa;                 -$250,000 for the “Call Me Mister” program at Clemson University;                 -$50,000,000 (fifty million!) for the Iowa Environmental Education Project.

The Senate has not acted on the bill, so Congressman Paul urges all Texas who oppose this reckless spending to contact their Senators.