It looks like the GOP might be seeing the light and returning to common sense conservative principles. The Democrats, in an attempt to put lipstick on their corruption pig, banned earmarks to private companies yesterday. The Democrats wanted to get the high ground on Republicans. Well the House Republicans have now one upped the Democrats:
From The Hill: House Republicans approved a conference-wide moratorium on earmarks on Thursday, one day after a House committee enacted a ban on for-profit earmarks.
The Republicans' moratorium is more extensive than the House Appropriations Committee's ban in that it applies to all earmarks for all members of the caucus.
The moratorium was passed via a "strong" voice vote, according to Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas), who participated in the nearly two-hour-long conference meeting.
[SNIP]
Senate Republicans appeared receptive to the House's proposal Thursday.
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) offered a one-year moratorium on earmarks on the Senate floor as the House Republicans were taking their vote. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) specifically complimented the House's plan in a Twitter post.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey's (D-Wis.) proposal to cut all for-profit earmarks on his panel was met with staunch opposition from his Senate counterpart, Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii).
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) cheered the effort and has floated the idea of a full earmark ban.
Freshman Rep. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) on Thursday issued a statement calling for an end to all earmarks.
While this race to cut earmarks is a step in the right direction, they are baby steps. In the latest $3 trillion budget, earmarks accounted for $1.7 billion. This is not nearly enough to pay for the $15 billion jobs bill, the $10 billion unemployment extension and forget about paying for ObamaCare!
Now if Congress really wants to impress us, how about actually using Pay-Go without any accounting shenanigans.
Via: Memeorandum
Via: The Hill
Via: The New York Times
Graphic H/T: Mike Angelo
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5 comments:
This is definitely a step in the right direction. I hate the whole idea of earmarks.
My, my, my, pots and kettles certainly are rattling and clanging around.
Janelle:
Good one!
trinity:
Yes it is a step in the right direction, unfortunately too small of a step.
Anonymous:
The GOP congress never came close to spending what the Democratic controlled (since 2006, remember)has. Cutting out earmarks for a year is a good start but lets not kid ourselves, it is less than pennies compared to our 3 trillion dollar budget.
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