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Congressional challengers call for earmark reforms
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| Contributor | ArmyDem |
| Last Edited | ArmyDem May 17, 2006 11:35pm |
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| Category | News |
| News Date | Friday, May 19, 2006 05:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | By Jackie Kucinich
As lawmakers, Republican Brian Bilbray and Democrat Nick Lampson felt pressure to bring home federal money to constituents, but recent controversy over earmarks and attempts at reform have forced them to rethink the matter as candidates.
Last year’s $286 billion transportation bill, which included some 6,000 earmarks, and an array of influence-peddling investigations have made reform contentious on Capitol Hill, and that in turn has forced candidates to say what they think about the age-old but widely decried practice.
Mike Malaise, a spokesman for Lampson, said the former Texas lawmaker used earmarks but believes that projects that are tacked onto legislation without going through the committee process should be eliminated.
“He feels the earmark system had some advantages in allowing members of Congress to advocate for specific needs within their district, but the policy is too often abused for the sake of lobbyist paybacks and unworthy projects that needlessly increase our deficits,” Malaise said.
Lampson is running to take over the seat being vacated by Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), who was well-known for his ability to steer federal funds to his district. |
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