Bachmann Wants Earmarks Redefined To Exclude Transportation Projects
[E]ven as [the Republican Party] publicly push a moratorium on the practice, some in the caucus are looking for a way out. On Tuesday morning, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that she wants to redefine exactly what an earmark is. Specifically, she said, transportation projects should not be placed under the umbrella.
"Advocating for transportation projects for ones district in my mind does not equate to an earmark," said the Minnesota Republican. "I don't believe that building roads and bridges and interchanges should be considered an earmark... There's a big difference between funding a tea pot museum and a bridge over a vital waterway."
As one of the leading Tea Party figures in D.C., Bachmann could risk tarnishing her brand and the brand of the movement in her attempts to emphasize the need for a redefinition of earmarks. As one Republican operative, who pointed out the quote to the Huffington Post, noted, her logic is "just odd."
The Star-Tribune notes that Bachmann "did solicit some earmarks when she first came to Congress" but "has been outspoken in pushing House Republicans to continue an earmark moratorium enacted last year." But transportation funds are vital for job creation. And it seems likely that the reality of having a major spigot cut off is a bit frightening to even the self-proclaimed fiscal conservatives on the Hill.
Earmark Ban is a Powerful Step in the Right Direction
One of the lessons learned in the 2010 elections was that voters distrust Washington politicians. Americans think congressmen and senators are in it for the perks and the power, but not the people, and that is why the proposed ban on earmarks is such an important move for the newly empowered GOP. Voters want their legislators to represent them and act in the best interests of the country. What they don't want are politicians spending taxpayer money on ridiculous projects like research money to create the best pickled vegetables.
DeMint, Senate Republicans Pass Sweeping Earmark Ban
Senate Republicans launched a full-scale assault on deficit spending Tuesday evening, approving an earmark ban and a flurry of other belt-tightening resolutions, while challenging Democrats to do the same.
Long-time earmark foe Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina offered the moratorium, along with Sen. Tom Coburn and 12 other senators. Sources say it is identical to an earmark ban expected to be approved in the House.
