Earmarks and Transparency in the 110th Congress

to earmarks, the big concern about the abuses of the past were two components: one is transparency 

or the lack of transparency in previous proceedings when it came to 

earmarks. The other was the issue of what is called air drops, those 

that could be in a conference and at the last minute add things into 

the budget without going through the review of the committee or 

subcommittee and a public review of that aspect.

  I have to compliment both sides of the aisle when it comes to 

transparency. I think that both Republicans and Democrats are working 

together to make sure the public knows who has asked for earmarks to be 

included. But I ask that at the same time, and to say we are a little 

let down, I think the public is going to feel let down, because both 

sides, both Republicans and Democrats, have not addressed the air drop 

issue. In fact, let's face it, why put your earmark or your request 

through the review process of committee and subcommittee if you can get 

put on the conference committee at the last minute, and just before the 

votes are brought to the House floor add your item in without going 

through the review process?

  So I would ask the majority and the minority to take a look at this 

aspect and not move this bill without having it specific that unless an 

item has been voted on in the House or the Senate before it got to 

conference, that it shouldn't be added in at the last minute. And I 

come from the 50th District of California, as you know, and we saw the 

crisis in credibility and government that was created by the Member 

that preceded me, and one of those crises was the fact that the game 

here was get on that conference committee so you could add your item 

in, in an air drop, at the last minute.

  So I would ask the majority to go back and take a look at this item 

and bring back something that stops the abuse of air drops, the last-

minute inclusion of earmarks that doesn't go through the review 

process, doesn't allow the public to know about it, and doesn't allow 

you and me as Members to be able to address this issue individually.

  Madam Speaker, I appreciate the chance, and I ask you to reconsider 

that before we move this item.

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