Stop Earmarks Without Public Hearing or Review

[Guest ALWAYSRED]

U.S. Senator George LeMieux (R-FL)joined several colleagues to call for enactment of a one-year moratorium on congressional earmarks and passage of a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. LeMieux says the effort is necessary if the nation is going to cut spending, balance its budget, and reduce the national debt. LeMieux joined with Senators Jim DeMint (R-SC), John McCain (R-AZ), Tom Coburn (R-OK), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in introducing the earmark moratorium and balanced budget legislation.

 

"Washington is addicted to spending and earmarks are the gateway drug to enormous debt. We need to stop earmarks and require a balanced budget," said LeMieux, who earlier this year announced he would not seek earmarks during his term. "The American people don't trust Washington to do the right thing with their money - and for good reason. The longer we do nothing about our debt, the longer struggle toward prosperity our children and future generations face."

 

LeMieux notes the national debt is currently more than $12 trillion dollars; this year's budget deficit is projected at $1.6 trillion and the President's budget for fiscal year 2011 is expected to top $1.2 trillion.

 

Background:

In addition to introducing legislation to enact a one-year moratorium on earmarks and co-sponsoring the DeMint balanced budget requirement, Senator LeMieux has introduced his own version of the balanced budget amendment which would give a line-item veto to the president.