Source:
The HillJune 14, 2007
Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) took to the floor late Tuesday night to defend his earmark for the infamous “bridge to nowhere,” and another that secured $10 million for a road in Florida that benefited a campaign contributor.
“I was always proud of my earmarks. I believe in earmarks, always have, as long as they are exposed. But don’t you ever call that a scandal,” he said.
Young, a former chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he had not planned to say anything during the GOP attacks over Democrats’ policy on earmarks in spending bills this week and was voting with Democrats on procedural motions Tuesday night. He said he decided to defend himself on the floor when House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dave Obey (D-Wis.) referred to the bridge-to-nowhere as a scandal.
Young made the comments at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday night, according to Democratic sources, half an hour before Democrats gave up on their torturous attempt to pass the Homeland Security spending bill that Republicans successfully bogged down with parliamentary procedures.
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