Earmarks

New Rule Requires that Applications for Competitive Spending Projects be Submitted Exclusively in Writing and That All Earmark Requests be Posted on Internet

May 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Public Citizen applauds the Obama Administration’s decision to require all requests for competitive spending grants from the stimulus package by non-governmental persons, including registered lobbyists, be made exclusively in writing and then posted on the Internet within three days.

Requests for non-competitive grants, such as those made to governmental agencies, may be made orally, but these requests must also be posted on the Internet. Until today’s executive order, the requirement that requests be submitted exclusively in writing applied only to registered lobbyists.    » read more »

March 11th, 2009 -- Today President Obama signed the final version of last year’s budget, as posted here on Friday while it was making its way through Congress, in order to keep the government functioning. As he explained, there was much to speak well of in the bill:

Now, yesterday Congress sent me the final part of last year's budget; a piece of legislation that rolls nine bills required to keep the government running into one, a piece of legislation that addresses the immediate concerns of the American people by making needed investments in line with our urgent national priorities.

That's what nearly 99 percent of this legislation does -- the nearly 99 percent that you probably haven't heard much about.    » read more »

May 16, 2008 -- Despite John McCain's self-professed opposition to earmarks and his claim to have never done anything to help his favorite lobbyists and campaign contributors, the USA Today reveals that McCain did in fact push for what watchdog groups called an "earmark" after a major donor lobbied him for it. According to a lawyer for the watchdog group Public Citizen, executives from SunCor "were asking for a specific earmark. And McCain delivered."

John McCain: Photo by Jason Means (CC)    » read more »

May 9, 2008 -- John McCain says he wants to spend the American people's "hard earned money wisely" and that "[e]armarks restrict America's ability to address genuine national priorities." But the truth is, McCain's economic proposals have been anything but responsible and have ignored many national priorities.

A John McCain supporter walks behind an SUV in Arlington, VA: Photo by Adam Fagen (CC)    » read more »

April 17, 2008 -- John McCain says he is against earmarks and has promised that as president he would "veto every bill with earmarks" that came across his desk. [CQ, 4/15/08]. He also claims to have "been a very strong proponent to the State of Israel." [Haaretz.com, 2/3/2008]

John McCain protester, New Hampshire: Photo by Roger H. Goun (CC)    » read more »

March 13, 2008 -- ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain today issued the following statement calling for a stop to earmarks:    » read more »

Missouri senator speaks on Senate floor ahead of amendment vote

March 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill spoke on the Senate floor about an amendment she is co-sponsoring with Republican Senator Jim DeMint (SC) that would create a one-year moratorium on all congressional earmarks. McCaskill believes that federal funding is essential to local and state projects but, as a former auditor, feels that earmarking is not a fiscally responsible or fair way to distribute funds.    » read more »

March 10, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement on his decision to cosponsor an amendment offered by Senator Jim DeMint to implement a one-year moratorium on all congressional earmarks during the FY 2009 appropriations cycle:    » read more »

February 5, 2008 -- Washington D.C. - Today, during a Senate Budget Committee hearing, Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) urged the administration to endorse legislation he has introduced with Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) to help cut wasteful spending. During questioning of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Jim Nussle, Feingold suggested the Feingold-Ryan legislation falls in line with President Bush’s efforts to rein in unauthorized earmarks.    » read more »

Conservative Club for Growth Lauds Feingold’s Record against Earmarks

November 7, 2007 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold’s commitment to rein in congressional spending was recognized as “impressive” earlier this week in a report by the pro-Republican Club for Growth. Feingold, who does not request earmarks, was the highest rated Democrat and was tied with or rated higher than 39 Republican senators in the rankings from the conservative advocacy organization.    » read more »