Q: What is a congressional “earmark?”
A: The term refers to the widely used, traditional practice lawmakers use to steer tax dollars towards specific projects or programs. The problem is that it’s common for earmarks to circumvent legislative and oversight channels in Congress. I’ve fought hard for Iowa’s fair share when it comes to allocating hard-earned public tax dollars. Responsible stewardship of the public purse is also a top priority, and I devote a lot of time and effort to weeding out fraudulent and abusive federal spending. Good government requires transparency and accountability. Letting sunlight shine in on the appropriations process and earmarks would do a world of good in the name of good government
Q: How does the Republican-led “earmark” amendment improve the ethics reform bill moving through the new Congress?
A: This year the U.S. Senate adopted a rule promoted by Republican senators to let more sunshine into the appropriations process. The new rule would remove the blinders so lawmakers vote with their eyes wide open on all congressional earmarks. It was a victory for fiscal responsibility. The new disclosure requirements would apply to all earmarks, targeted tax breaks and trade benefits that are inserted either during committee consideration or added later to conference reports that are reconciled between the Senate and House of Representatives. The new rules would require earmarks, including the recipient and Senate sponsor of such dollars, to be posted on the Internet at least 48 hours before the final legislation comes up for a vote. Senators also would be required to submit a written statement that details the project and certifies that no personal financial benefit is to be gained. Now that the Senate has passed the broader ethics reform package, the bill needs to be reconciled with the House version. This broader ethics reform package also contains long-sought Grassley legislation to ban a practice that allows individual senators to halt consideration of a nomination or legislative item simply by placing an anonymous “secret hold” on it. The public has a right to know.