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Butcher Chronicles: Coburn to “put hold” on appropriation “changes”

By sage of monticello | December 19, 2007

Oklahoma Republican Senator Tom Coburn is calling for an investigation into a controversial last-minute changing of an earmark requested by Alaska Republican Congressman Don Young — who was at that time the chairman of the House transportation committee.

Coburn says he will object to the passage of any “technical corrections” to the 2005 transportation bill — where Young’s earmark was included.

Young’s request for $10 million to widen Interstate 75 in southern Florida was approved. But after that Young changed the language to authorize work on an interchange on I-75 instead — despite the fact the project was opposed by local officials.

So why the change?

The change was backed by a real estate developer who had thrown a $40,000 fundraiser for Young that year. Now Coburn is asking Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell for a committee of House members and senators to investigate.

Update: RedState weighs in

Topics: corruption, earmarks |

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