Senate eyes probe of mystery earmark

[brooklynite]

Source: CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Senate may seek a federal investigation into a 2005 earmark on a highway funding bill that was mysteriously altered after Congress approved the measure but before President Bush signed it.

The $10 million earmark, originally designated for improvements to Interstate 75 in Lee and Collier Counties in Florida, was changed to direct the money to build an interchange in Lee County, an apparently violation of congressional rules.

"This wasn't an ordinary earmark," Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, said, defending the decision by Democratic leaders to invite the Justice Department to probe internal congressional practices. "It was the specific circumstances here that are highly unusual."

The Senate is expected to vote Thursday whether to direct the Justice Department to investigate "allegations of impropriety" and to "ascertain if a violation of Federal criminal law has occurred." No lawmaker has acknowledged making the change.

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/16/senate-eyes-probe-of-mystery-earmark/

[Arctic Dave]

1. Looks like don is going to get burned. Please, please, pretty please.

[truthisfreedom]

2. Process of elimination should reveal the culprit.

Post-haste.

[Winterblues]

13. Everybody knows who the cuprit is...Don Young from Alaska

Immediately after putting in that "earmark" for a road in Florida which people in florida did not want, don received a forty thousand dollar campaign contribution from the only person that would profit from the ten million dollar "earmark"...Don Young is as sleazy as they get..and there is a very good chance that even as red as Alaska is they are tired of him and a Democrat could very well be elected to replace him..

[texaspelican1]

3. ear marks

The Republicans and corporate media have really been beating the ear mark band wagon. Of course, there were many, many more ear marks under the Republican Congress.
Let's not fall for the mantra of "down with earmarks" and realize that ear marks are the "Power of the Purse" for the Congress and Senate that we elect. Otherwise they would just be handing the president a blank check to spend any where he or she wants. To bush it would be better than line item veto. Just make them very, very public in case we have another Republican House and Senate.
Thank goodness that someone is checking into the corruption of the Republicans though. Will they ever apoloogize for destroying this country.

[razors edge]

4. Excellent first post,

and welcome to DU. :hi:

[brooklynite]

5. Will John McCain "reject and denounce" the originator of this earmark?

Especially if it turns out to be a Republican Senator from Florida?

[Dr.Phool]

8. I think we'll find that the originator of this earmark is a congressman from Alaska.

And he inserted it after the bill was voted on.

Anybody ever heard of Don Young? The guy who had a major campaign contributor with an interest in that interchange?

Nah, I must be crazy.

[judasdisney]

6. When pigs fly, Schumer will investigate Sibel Edmonds' case

That's when I'll reverse my plans to leave behind this wasteland for a place that loves real investigations, real democracy, and Habeas Corpus... like Latin America.

If you expect anything from Charles Schumer, you must have forgotten his voting record. And his advocacy for Mukasey to be Attorney General.

[Dr.Phool]

10. Well, why hang around this wasteland?

We all understand Sibel Edmonds charges. We've discussed them for years, and agree. We all love democrazy and habeas corpus here, and discuss it frequently. And we go crazy over investigations, or lack there of.

We're well aware of Chuckie Schumers record, along with Diane Frankensteins record on Mukasey.

But, if you expect us to obsess about it, non-stop, 24 hours a day, at the exclusion of everything else.....

Go back to Disney, Dickhead.

[seafan]

7. Can't wait for this one to shake out.

US Rep. Connie Mack (R-FL) involved in Coconut Road earmark controversy with Don Young (R-Alaska), June 15, 2007

[never cry wolf]

9. Nailed! here it is folks

thanks!

[Wizard777]

11. I don't think Mukasey will investigate this.

[fasttense]

12. There is just no end to the corruption

in the federal government. Everyday you hear some new and improved, never before tried, law breaking. If you see a federal politician talking, especially a republican, you know he is lying. It feels like we are having a free for all, no law is honored, no amendment in the Constitution left unbroken, immorality and greed rules the day. It is as if we are living through the last days of the Ancient Roman Empire.