WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole voted yesterday for H. Res. 1000 to increase transparency in the legislative and appropriations process by passing a change to House rules concerning earmark reform. This legislation passed in the House, 245-171.

     “This House rules change will bring greater transparency to the legislative and appropriations process by ensuring that members of Congress are held accountable for their earmarks. By making these earmarks public, we can help further crack down on wasteful and unnecessary spending," Congressman Tom Cole said.

      H. Res. 1000 would require that all reported bills and conference reports considered in the House include a list of earmarks in the text or in the committee report and the name of the Member requesting each earmark. Also, when the House and Senate reach agreement on a piece of legislation, a list of any earmarks added to the bill during that negotiation process must be included in the bill before the House votes on it.   

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