Redstate

Posted at 5:28pm on Jun. 11, 2008 Conservatives Complain GOP's Earmark Plan Doesn't Go Far Enough

Act Now, Not Later

By Bluey

As House Republicans unveiled their economic agenda today, conservatives expressed disappointment that it does nothing to address earmark reform now and instead calls for an "immediate moratorium" in the future. The document was drafted to lay out the GOP's agenda in January 2009 if Republicans reclaim control of the House.

Earmark critics, however, say that view is completely unrealistic. They think a total ban on earmarks must be instituted today because the chances of Republicans taking back the House are slim. "We need to lead by example and differentiate ourselves," a conservative staffer told me. "The economic agenda today will allow earmarks this year and the next if Republicans do not win the House. No fundamental change from the status quo."

The struggle over earmarks is reflected in the differing views of two GOP leaders: Republican Study Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.) and Policy Chairman Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.). The Hill reported the conflict earlier this week with Hensarling demanding action now and McCotter opposed to a "one-size-fits-all ban." In a memo released this afternoon, Hensarling reiterated his support for a ban. He could press the issue by bringing it to a conference-wide vote.

As I reported on RedState last night, the GOP's economic agenda includes many conservative proposals, including a flat tax, free-market health care, entitlement reform, balanced budget and energy production. Yet earmarks remain a sticking point despite Minority Leader John Boehner's attempt to reach a consensus.

Conservatives don't dispute the laudable policy goals included as part of the economic agenda -- many developed by the Republican Study Committee. But that's no excuse to take a pass on earmark reform today. Although it remains a divisive issue for Republicans, Hensarling should keep fighting for a ban on pork-barrel projects. Boehner faces no easy task bringing the GOP together, but he should view this as an opportunity for the GOP to distinguish itself from Democrats in advance of November's elections.

Posted in Congress | Congress | Earmarks | Jeb Hensarling | Republicans — Comments (6)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 12:34am on Dec. 12, 2007 House Republicans Talk Tough on Spending

"Our Members Have Been Ready for This Fight All Year."

By Mark I

Republicans in the House held a conference call today on the appropriations process. The call was hosted by Minority Whip Rep. Roy Blunt and joined by Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. Jeb Hensarling. The purpose was to lay out the Republican leadership’s strategy for dealing with the omnibus appropriations bill working its way through Congress.

Last night, the cantankerous Democratic Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, David Obey (D-WI), threatened to pull all earmarks out of the bill unless Republicans agreed to negotiate on spending levels. The White House called Obey’s bluff and said that it’s position on funding for domestic programs had not changed. Blunt and Hensarling wanted to make it clear to the assembled journalists and bloggers that Republicans has “gotten the message” on spending and intended, on the House side at least, to hold Democrats to their campaign pledges of fiscal responsibility.

Read on…

Posted in Budget | Congress | Earmarks | Jeb Hensarling | Roy Blunt | The Appropriations Process — Comments (0)/ Email this page » / Read More »