Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) today issued the following video statement:

“Hello, I’m Dave Reichert.

“You know, sometimes you have to do what you think is right no matter what the consequences are. That is the way I operated when I was Sheriff, and that is the way I continue to operate in Congress.

“That’s why I’m announcing today that I am going to voluntarily forgo requesting member projects, or “earmarks,” in the spending bills for 2009.

“I am doing this because it is time for a change in the way things are done in Washington, D.C.

“Earlier this year, I signed onto a bill that imposes a one-year moratorium on earmarks, and creates a bipartisan commission to look at how we can fix what has become a broken earmark system. A system that wastes taxpayer dollars and has been abused for personal gain.

“Unfortunately, it appears that the Majority will not allow this bill to come to the floor and is taking no measures to fix the earmark system. We have come up on the deadlines for earmarks to be submitted and it looks like that it is just “business as usual.”  

“My constituents did not elect me to conduct business as usual. That’s why I am taking this action – to set an example, to push the leaders in both parties to recognize that enough is enough; that we must come together and reform Congress to create an earmark system that works.

“I want to be clear: I am in favor of member projects, and I believe in the right of the Congress to dictate where federal dollars go. But the path we are headed down in Washington is not a good one. I am going to work to change our direction and create a federal spending process that is fair and open and that the public can trust. When it is, I will resume my strong advocacy for federal assistance for my District’s innovative and needed projects.

“If you have any questions, please contact my office – information is available at my website, house.gov/reichert.

“Thank you.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndtAXi5su-E