The most fundamental duty of Congress is to efficiently appropriate federal funds to ensure maximum value out of every tax dollar. This is a responsibility that I take very seriously. Throughout my years in Congress, I have worked with my colleagues to fund necessary endeavors, provide support to our troops, and when possible, terminate unnecessary federal programs.

Unfortunately, certain appropriations tools known as earmarks have become a symptom of an out of control Washington. Bridges-to-nowhere, “monuments to me” and other frivolous spending projects waste valuable taxpayer dollars. That is why I support the House Republican’s plan to ban all earmarks in an effort to streamline our spending and hold Members accountable for their actions. While some earmarks can serve valuable purposes, such as infrastructure and research projects, wasteful earmarks have unfortunately polluted the earmark process. The need for comprehensive earmark reform is clear.