mudwhistle

Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) is calling for an immediate suspension of the earmarking process after learning that a House Democrat suggested to Speaker Nancy Pelosi that additional earmarks could assist the campaigns of vulnerable Democrats.

“Inherently, we understand that this earmark process is not equitable… There are a few examples of where your help could significantly assist a few members in highly contested races,” wrote Rep. Kilpatrick (Rep. Kilpatrick letter to Speaker Pelosi, 12/13/2007).

Want to ask Speaker Pelosi whether she believes granting earmarks to re-elect Democrats is ethical and an appropriate use of tax dollars? Give her a ring at 202-225-4965 and ask her.

http://www.freedomtalks.org/2007/12/...ical-purposes/

bigbrowndog

Oooooooo from a Reaganite's blog and all over the web

on repig sites ----how interesting, so fascinating.

Oh please do call Nancy--she's sitting there waiting just for you.

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bigbrowndog

Lobbyists are turning away from approps.

By Jim Snyder and Kevin Bogardus
December 18, 2007

Earmarks survived the changeover in Congress and Democratic pledges of reform, but several lobbying firms are starting to turn away from appropriations work in favor of new sources of revenue.

Lobbyists say a variety of factors have them rethinking business models built on what critics call pork-barrel spending.


Scandals involving former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-Calif.) brought new and unwelcome scrutiny to directed spending projects.

That, in turn, has driven down the amount of money available.

“The days of getting $5 million for a start-up company are rapidly declining,” said one former Republican appropriations staffer who is now a lobbyist.

As Congress debated earmark reform, “most people in town pivoted away from that work,” the lobbyist said.

Cassidy & Associates, for example, proudly claims responsibility for adding the first earmark to a spending bill. In the years since, the firm has built its practice around convincing Congress to add targeted spending programs to appropriations bills.

More recently, however, the firm has shifted more of its business to policy issues that may offer more consistent revenues. Nearly 70 percent of the new work the firm attracts is tied to non-appropriations business.


MORE: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/lobbyists-are-turning-away-from-approps.-2007-12-18.html

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mudwhistle

So much for those claims to get rid of corruption and be the most ethical Congress ever.

Kanadesaga

And the Bridge to Nowhere in Alaska wasn't about getting Ted Stevens re-elected?

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Elliott

Would you be kind enough to post some proof?

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