Corker Supports One-Year Time Out on Earmarks

Press Release

Corker Supports One-Year Time Out on Earmarks

U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) today announced his support for an amendment to implement a one-year suspension on congressional earmarks. Corker is an original cosponsor of a bipartisan amendment sponsored by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) that would effectively force a one-year moratorium on all congressional earmarks during the fiscal year 2009 appropriations cycle.

"The process through which earmarking takes place is irresponsible, it contributes to wasteful spending in Washington, and it erodes public confidence in our ability to make and adhere to budget priorities. While earmarks are only a small part of our fiscal problems, we must improve the process and I believe this one-year time out is a step toward that end.

"It is critical that Congress look at all avenues to reduce spending. This includes taking a hard look at entitlement programs and finding other ways to be more responsible with taxpayer dollars. I have supported measures to enact a two-year budget cycle and to create a blueprint for solving the growing crisis surrounding entitlement spending that must be brought to Congress and given an up or down vote."

If passed, the DeMint amendment would essentially create a 67 vote hurdle for consideration of any bill that includes earmarks for the rest of this year. In addition to Corker, the amendment is currently cosponsored by Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Richard Burr (R-NC), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Barack Obama (D-IL), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), John Cornyn (R-TX), Evan Bayh (D-IN), Mel Martinez (R-FL), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and John Barrasso (R-WY).

According to Taxpayers for Common Sense, Congress spent $18.3 billion on over 11,000 earmarks in the fiscal year 2008 appropriation cycle.

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