Congree won’t release Earmarks
June 19th, 2007 by CD
Simple put, an earmark is what your representative spends their money on. It is a way for OUR representatives to show how they are spending funds by providing a project of interest to their constituents. So, wouldn’t you think it would be fairly simply to ask for a copy of their earmark. For all we know they are spending it on building new sport stadiums.
Well CNN went out to our Congress to ask them for a copy of their earmarks. Here are the highlights:
- Only 31 of 435 members of the House provide information on earmark requests
- 68 declined to provide requests; 329 didn’t return calls or provide requests
- Democrats promised scrutiny of earmarks when they regained Congress
- Earmarks — derided as “pork” often fund lawmakers’ pet projects
Check out the rest of the story here…
In 2006, Congress approved a record $29 billion in earmarks –those spending requests derided as “pork” that fund everything from road construction and research grants to ski lifts and minor league baseball diamonds. Legislators view these projects as important proof that they are serving their constituents back home.
- Posted in U.S. Politics