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Washington D.C.- Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), Chairman of the Republican Study Committee, announced plans to call for an immediate suspension of the earmarking process after learning that a prominent House Democrat suggested to Speaker Nancy Pelosi that the procurement of additional earmarks could assist the campaigns of vulnerable Democrats.
One day after House Democrats forced a 3,565 page spending bill (that contained more than 9000 earmarks spread over 692 pages) through Congress, The Politico newspaper reported that Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chairwoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-MI) sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi on the topic of the unfair distribution of earmarks.
Citing a need to speak with Speaker Pelosi on “matters of extreme urgency,” Congresswoman Kilpatrick noted the unequal distribution of earmarks. In the letter, Congresswoman Kilpatrick made clear that a more favorable distribution of taxpayer funded earmarks would directly help vulnerable members of the Congressional Black Caucus get reelected.
“Inherently, we understand that this earmark process is not equitable… There are a few examples of where your help could significantly assist a few members in highly contested races.” (Rep. Kilpatrick letter to Speaker Pelosi, 12/13/2007)
Despite Speaker Pelosi’s campaign pledge to “make this the most honest, ethical, and open Congress in history,” Democrats produced a massive spending bill that contained nearly 700 pages of 9,000 plus earmarks - over three hundred of which were air dropped into the bill without any measure of accountability.
Earlier this year, the Wall Street Journal reported that Congressman John Murtha, the powerful Democrat appropriator, had “rebuilt [his] hometown on earmarks,” noting that “Johnstown's good fortune has come at the expense of taxpayers everywhere else.” Throughout the year, numerous stories detailing the questionable earmarks of Members from both parties have called the entire process into question.
RSC Chairman Hensarling’s Statement:
“Conservatives have said for some time that the earmarking process has lent itself to the triumph of seniority over merit, secrecy over transparency, and the special interest over the national interest – and that has now been confirmed by a vocal leader in the House Democrat Caucus. Democrats said they’d clean up the pork and instead they attempted to roll back transparency and accountability, and the earmarking process continues to get worse for American taxpayers.”
“The suggestion that taxpayer funded earmarks should be used to ‘assist members in highly contested races’ should be enough to warrant an investigation into the distribution of earmarks. Never has it been more obvious that Congress needs to suspend the earmarking process until some sort of integrity is restored. We will be contacting Speaker Pelosi about these concerns very shortly.”
Congressman Scott Garrett (R-NJ):
“Chairwoman Kilpatrick’s letter to Speaker Pelosi is rock-solid proof that the Democrat's pledge to reform the earmark process was nothing more than a cheap political gimmick Using Americans’ tax dollars to get members of your party re-elected is blatant abuse of the peoples trust and perhaps a violation of House ethics.”
Congressman John Shadegg (R-AZ):
“Throughout the year, Democrats and Republicans alike have been corruptly and brazenly directing tax dollars at indefensible earmarks – many of which directly benefit the Member or someone close to him or her. Yet Congress refuses to curb this corrupt practice or reign in its wasteful spending. A recent survey showed Congress’ approval rating at a mere eleven percent. One of the reasons for this is the blatant corruption that the earmark process displays for all to see. It is way past time for Congress to clean up the people’s House.”
Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN):
"In an election year, Democrat Leaders promised to root out corruption. After one year with the trappings of power, they are rushing to make up for mismanagement and misplaced priorities by passing a massive bill that includes over 9,000 earmarks but not a dime for our troops in Iraq. As many as 300 of those earmarks hadn't seen the light of day, before they were passed in the middle of the night.”
Congressman John Campbell (R-CA):
"This letter appears to request taxpayer dollars to aid in political campaigns, which is improper and possibly illegal. The earmark distribution process must be investigated to ensure that no federal laws are being broken."
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