Whip Cantor: GOP Leads on Earmarks

Statement

House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) issued the following statement after Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced support for an earmark moratorium in the Senate Republican Conference:

"As I wrote last month, there is no question that earmarks -- rightly or wrongly -- have become the poster child for Washington's wasteful spending binges. They have been linked to corruption and scandal, and serve as a fuel line for the culture of spending that has dominated Washington far too long. These reasons alone would justify completely eliminating earmarks. We have an enormous task ahead if we are going to get America's fiscal house in order and while there is no silver bullet, we must take steps to rein in spending and deliver incremental results so that confidence in our effort grows. Ending earmarks is a strong step in that direction.

"House and Senate Republicans are listening, and our action to end earmarks reflect that. Now it's time for President Obama to step up to the plate, and I urge him to encourage Senator Reid and Senate Democrats to hold a similar vote on earmarks. Further, the President should pledge to fully review Executive Branch earmarks so that we can begin to rebuild the public trust that has been eroded by wasteful and egregious earmarks."

Source