Politics

Caucus Chairman Emanuel on Earmark Reform

By Jesse Lee

Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel issued the following statement today regarding Congressional Republicans and earmark reform:

?It is difficult to take Republicans seriously when they talk about fiscal responsibility and earmark reform. When President Clinton left office, we enjoyed a $236 billion surplus. Today, after six years of Republican Rule, we have a $410 billion deficit. Republicans helped turn a projected $5.6 trillion surplus into a $3 trillion debt. And under Republican control, the number and cost of earmarks exploded.

?Now we learn, thanks to the Citizens Against Government Waste Pig Book, that the party that supposedly wants more earmark reform is home to some of the fattest pigs at the trough. The Democratic Congress has taken the appropriate first steps and made real earmark reform a reality. We’ve made the system more transparent and cut the cost of earmarks by 43%. Republicans should get their own house in order before they begin discussing how to put America?s fiscal house in order.?

Full post as published by The Gavel on April 03, 2008 (boomark / email).