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House Republicans agree to “self-imposed” earmark reform
By sage of monticello | February 6, 2008
House Democrats promised earmark reform, but have failed to act out of self interest and power preservation - the same reasons Republicans weren’t interested in earmark reform..
However, the Democrats’ inaction has not prevented House Republicans (now in the minority and interested in reforming earmarks) from enacting modest, gradual and “self-imposed” reform on themselves.
Rep. Boehner put it well: “House Republicans have changed…we fully recognize the failure to control earmarks helped cost our party the majority, and dramatic change is needed.”
Until Democrats agree to dramatically reform and reduce earmarked spending, House Republicans have agreed to set higher standards for themselves. They have agreed to:
No More “Monuments to Me”: Ending the use of taxpayer money to fund projects named after members of Congress.
No More “Airdropping” Pork at the Last Minute: Ending the practice of avoiding scrutiny of pet projects by adding them to legislation at the last minute.
No More “Front” Groups to Launder Earmarks: Ending the practice of designating earmarks for “front” operations that mask the true recipients of pork-barrel spending
These are good, if not incomplete steps to solving the problem.
However, I don’t think sufficient earmark reform will come until motivation behind the reform is more about manifesting the will of the people and a sincere belief in the corrupting nature of earmarks; and less about taking a one of the majority’s tools to maintain power…
In other words, at this point, the think Republicans are (conveniently) pushing earmark reform more out of a desire to take away the Democrats’ ability to use the federal budget as a campaign tool - a tool Republicans will likely seek to reinstate once back in the majority - and less out of a desire to do the will of the people or in a belief that earmarks are corrupting and erode trust in government.
Topics: earmarks, house democrats, house republicans |
