Democrats lose yet another House battle
(CNSNews.com) – An agreement providing greater transparency on spending earmarks in the House was hailed on Friday by a government watchdog group and GOP officials as a victory for taxpayers, while the Democratic appropriations chairman said that "the best thing about this agreement is that it allows us to proceed."
House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) "wanted to stay behind closed doors and play ‘God’ with earmarks, but the taxpayers won this battle for transparency and accountability," Tom Schatz, president of Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), said in a news release.
"The American people are sick and tired of the ‘bait-and-switch’ from Congress, especially when it comes to their tax dollars," he said. As a result, "earmarks will now be included in appropriations bills and subject to debate and amendment."
Of course, since all House critters want to get their earmarks passed, it is questionable how much of a difference this will make. Perhaps some of the most egarious ones will be killed, such as "bridge to nowhere" types.
