Congressman Flake Praises Earmark Rule Change

Congressman Flake Praises Earmark Rule Change
Earmark Rule Change is Good First Step

Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona's Sixth District, today made the following statement on the floor of the House of Representatives regarding the earmark rule change:

"Mr. Speaker, the United States Congress is a wonderful and storied institution. It is with great reverence and pride that each of us who are elected come to this body. But with the practice of earmarking we have departed from the practices and traditions of the People's House.

When working properly, the House of Representatives follows the time-honored practice of authorization, appropriation, and oversight. Earmarking short-circuits this process. Today we do far too little authorizing, far too much appropriating, and far too little oversight.

When I was first elected, I had visions of participating in the great debates of our time: How can we give the federal government the tools it needs to identify and root out our enemies while maintaining a free society? What tax and trade policies lend themselves to survival and prosperity in a global economy? How do we assert our influence abroad in a manner that enhances our security?

It is not that these policy debates haven't occurred during my time in Congress. They have and they do. But I believe it is safe to say that are diminishing.

In Congress, policies and priorities are established when money is attached to them. When the carefully designed process of authorization, appropriation, and oversight is adhered to, these policies and priorities are given a thorough vetting. But when earmarks are inserted into bills at the last minute, behind closed doors, there is no debate, deliberation, or scrutiny.

When appropriations bills reach the House floor, passage by a lopsided margin is virtually assured because members with earmarks are obligated to vote for the entire bill. The scope of debate is substantially narrowed when even partisan disagreements that would otherwise occur are hushed as Republicans and Democrats find common cause in protecting their earmarks.

I am under no illusion that this legislation, which deals only with the issue of transparency, will solve the problem of earmarking. Too many in this body have been convinced that they have both a right and an obligation to personally direct funding to their district. But this bill does represent an important first step.

Mr. Speaker, we owe this institution more than we are giving it. Let's pass this bill and give it more of the respect it deserves."

http://flake.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=50080