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Issue Statements

Appropriations

Appropriations

Earmarks have become a symbol of broken Washington to the American people. In these tough economic times, American families and small businesses are tightening their fiscal belts, and they have every right to expect Washington to do the same. Unfortunately, this Congress has already proven its addiction to record-breaking, pork-barrel spending.    

Consequently, Congressman Sessions is supporting a temporary moratorium on earmarks. While some earmarks serve valuable purposes, such as infrastructure and research projects, wasteful earmarks have unfortunately polluted the earmark process. The need for comprehensive earmark reform is clear.  

That is why Congressman Sessions also supports the House Republican Select Committee on Earmark Reform along with the following priorities:   

• Bipartisan, Bicameral Comprehensive Earmark Reform    

Currently, Republican hold more strict earmark standards than Democrats, with each party adhering to different “reform” requirements. In the best interest of taxpayers and their hard-earned dollars, Congress should implement bipartisan, bicameral reform so that every earmark request is subject to the same oversight standards.  

• Establish Transparent, Accountable, and Ethical Standards for Earmarks   

ü     No “monuments to me.”  Lawmakers should not use taxpayer money to fund projects named after themselves. 

ü     No “airdrops.”  When Congress spends the American people’s money, the process should be completely transparent.  Members of Congress should not circumvent public disclosure by including earmarks that have not been vetted by an open legislative process into bills at the last minute. 

ü      All earmarks should be vetted through regular order in the House of Representatives and subject to debate and a vote on the House floor.

ü      No “fronts” or “pass-through” entities.  Taxpayer funds should be spent for their intended purpose, not passed through “front” operations that mask their true recipients.

ü     Members of Congress whose earmarks are agreed to should place a detailed plan in the Congressional Record explaining how this money will be spent and why the use of taxpayer funds is justified.

ü     To improve accountability and overall project viability, Members of Congress should require outside earmark recipients to put up “matching funds” where applicable so that American taxpayers do not bear all the risk for such expenditures.

ü    The Executive Branch should be held accountable for its own earmark practices.  The Executive Branch also asks for earmarks, and Members of Congress should hold present and future Administrations accountable for the way in which taxpayer-funded earmarks are used.

As a strong supporter of comprehensive earmark reform, Congressman Sessions has chosen to not request earmarks for the 2010 fiscal year. Instead, he believes that it’s past time for Congress to begin earning back the public’s trust in managing their tax dollars and getting back to the work of promoting economic growth and job creation.

Related Records:

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