The AP reports, you decide: WASHINGTON – Barack Obama’s optimistic campaign rhetoric has crashed headlong into the stark reality of governing. In office two months, he has backpedaled on an array of issues, gingerly shifting positions as circumstances dictate while ducking for political cover to avoid undercutting his credibility and authority. That’s happened on the Iraq troop withdrawal timeline, on lobbyists in his administration and on money for lawmakers’ pet projects.
The left is growing frustrated with the success conservatives are having in framing the omnibus spending bill as classic wasteful government spending. Pushing back, the Center for American Progress claims that Cutting Earmarks Doesn’t Save Money and Roll Call’s Stan Collender writes: “Saying That Cutting Earmarks Will Reduce Spending Is A Lie.” Collender reasons: An earmark simply is a congressional decision to allocate part of appropriation for a particular purpose. Eliminating the allocation doesn’t reduce the appropriation, it simply leaves the allocation decision to a federal department or agency rather …
Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) ought to be commended for exposing the left’s commitment to reforming the way Washington does business as nothing more than empty rhetoric. Last night Coburn forced votes on two amendments to the $410 billion omnibus appropriations bill that forced liberal Senators to approve of $10 million in earmarks for the clients of a now-disbanded lobbying firm under federal investigation and another $16 million in earmarks for water-taxi services and manure management. But what if the left in the Senate had called his bluff? What if they …
Yet another controversy involving Congressional earmarks is brewing in Washington. This time around a lobbying firm, the PMA group (raided by the FBI in November), is accused of making fraudulent donations to members of Congress in exchange for federal pork directed toward their clients. Given mounting news reports of scandal involving earmarks, you’d think Members of Congress would jump at the opportunity to prove they’re clean. You’d be wrong. Two illuminating pieces of pork legislation were passed by the House yesterday. The first vote, the 2009 Omnibus appropriations bill, churned …
The crowd eager for a handout from the upcoming economic stimulus bill is growing. On December 8th, the US Conference of Mayors presented their wish list. The report, entitled “Mainstreet Economic Recovery,” lists 11,391 local infrastructure projects with a price tag totaling $73.2 billion. Unfortunately, the list is basically a massive collection of earmarks with little chance of stimulating the economy. As with any collection of pork, some peculiar plans have begun to surface. While the Mayors’ list contains scores of projects which could be easily defined as ineffective and …
Another economic stimulus bill is imminent, and early reports put the potential price-tag around $700 billion. With such an astronomical figure being considered, it is no surprise the special interest lobbyists have taken notice. Everyone wants part of the latest government hand out. From bailouts for states in financial trouble to energy-efficient home insulation, suddenly any and all government spending can be spun as “economic stimulus.” This should not come as any surprise given liberal’s reverence for the economic theories of John Maynard Keynes, the British economist who once wrote: …
A Round-up of Op-Eds from the Heritage Foundation Tax Us, Exempt Matt Damon? – Brian Darling Congress decided to load up the bailout bill too, of course. Amid warnings of a massive economic slow-down being right around the corner, lawmakers couldn’t seem to refrain from freighting the potential deal with earmarks. How much damage could Congress do in just two weeks? Consider that the Senate bill was 451 pages — just a tad longer than the three pages submitted by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson[...] When Whales Trump Security – James …
There are several issues in Washington this week following the passing of the Bailout legislation. Here are some key issues to be aware of this week: Congress passed a massive Continuing Resolution to fund the government for the next year and inserted some ridiculous earmarks and special interest projects. Some ridiculous items include funding for blimps and squirrel hibernation. The bailout bill contains favorable tax provisions for special interest groups. Tax provisions for arrow shafts, directors and producers, and wool research David Kreutzer of The Heritage Foundation has written that …
The Volokh Conspiracy‘s David Bernstein did not believe John McCain did an adequate job explaining his concern with earmarks during last Friday’s Presidential debate. Bernstein pick up the argument: Let’s say Congressman X is an idealistic young Congressman. Some constituents in his rural district ask him to get federal funding for a new emergency room in a local hospital, because the nearest emergency room is 100 miles away. Congressman X is skeptical of earmarks, but this particular one both seems like a good idea and a way to help ensure …
On Sept. 17, 1787, 39 of the original 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document that would eventually become our Constitution. In 2005, Congress passed a law designating today as Constitution Day and directed all educational institutions receiving federal funds to honor the day by holding “an educational program on the United States Constitution.” The Senate probably does not consider itself an “educational institution” but a fight over earmarks in the defense authorization bill offers an excellent chance for lawmakers to educate themselves about the principles behind our …
