House GOP plans earmark reform in appeal to conservative base

[sabra]

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/090506/news8.html

House GOP plans earmark reform in appeal to conservative base

Along with an emphasis on national security, House Republicans plan an appeal to the conservative base on the fiscal responsibility front in a legislative last stand before voters decide their fate in November.

The second week of September GOP leaders will unveil a resolution commemorating the five-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and that same week could also tackle earmark reform in another attempt to win back disgruntled conservatives upset with congressional Republicans for what they see as a failure to curb government spending.

The rules changes are not yet complete, but the House is expected to vote on a bill that would require individual members to attach their names to all earmarked projects in each of the appropriations, tax and authorizing bills. The initial changes, which were included in a broader lobbying reform package, applied solely to appropriations bills.

Completing earmark reform outside a broader overhaul of the rules governing lobbyists’ interactions with members and staff could sound the death knell for the latter package, which House Republicans vowed to pass earlier this year when the Jack Abramoff scandal was commanding headlines on a daily basis.

[Donnachaidh]

1. Rethugs doing earmark reform? Don't hold your breath!

If they do any reforming, it will be to cover their respective asses from prosecution. They'll do NOTHING to stop the gravy train. This is more freaking grandstanding on their part.

[Robbien]

2. This will make Pork King Senator Stevens very unhappy

Perhaps he will whip out another one of those secret holds he likes so much.

[whistle]

3. Fiscal responsibility, what are they talking about?

...The Bush administration along with the republican controlled congress over the past 5 1/2 years squandered a $5.3 trillion surplus and created a national debt which has exceeded $9.0 trillion and threatens to soar to $13.5 trillion by the time Bush leaves office in 2009. These people have been to most fiscally irresponsible bunch of bums ever.