House Republicans Urge Earmark Moratorium

by Robert Pear, The New York Times: House Republicans called on Friday for “an immediate moratorium” on earmarking money for pet projects. They urged Democrats to join them in establishing a bipartisan panel to set strict new standards for such spending.

As an interim step, House Republican leaders said, they will insist that all House Republicans follow standards to eliminate “wasteful pork-barrel spending.” Rpublicans set forth their intentions in a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The letter reflects a fragile consensus reached Friday after more than two hours of impassioned debate among House Republicans, who met behind closed doors at their annual conference . . . Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) said, “I still believe House Republicans should embrace an immediate one-year moratorium on earmark spending, even if the Democrats don’t join us.” But Mr. Pence added: “By challenging Speaker Pelosi to join us in ending earmarks as usual in Washington, House Republicans have thrown down the gauntlet of reform.”

The letter to Ms. Pelosi was signed by the House Republican leader, John A. Boehner (R-OH); the Republican whip, Roy Blunt of Missouri; and seven others. “Pork-barrel spending has outraged American families and eroded public confidence in our institution,” the letter said. “Both of our parties bear responsibility for this failure.” The White House says Congress earmarked nearly $17 billion for more than 11,700 projects in the current fiscal year. About 40% of the money was for items requested by Republicans. House Republican leaders said they had adopted these standards for members of their caucus:

Members of Congress must not earmark money for projects named after themselves.

All earmarks must be fully disclosed, and none can be inserted into bills “at the last minute” by conference committees.

No money should be earmarked for “front groups” that mask the true recipients of federal money.

Members of Congress who request earmarks should give a plan describing exactly how the money will be spent and why using federal money is justified. These plans should be published in The Congressional Record before lawmakers vote on the floor.

Moreover, the Republican rules would require that many recipients of earmarks spend some of their own money on projects, “so that taxpayers do not bear all the risk for such expenditures.” . . . [Read More]

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