Bush vows to tackle pet-project provisions

[William769]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush said Saturday that his administration will outline a series of changes that would clamp down on the common Capitol Hill practice of slipping pet projects into spending bills.

These projects, called earmarks, are spending provisions that often are put into bills at the last minute, so they never get debated or discussed, Bush said in his weekly radio address.

"It is not surprising that this often leads to unnecessary federal spending, such as a swimming pool or a teapot museum tucked into a big spending bill," he said.

The president said his administration's proposal would make earmarks more transparent, make lawmakers more accountable for the earmarks they propose, and help reduce the overall number of earmarks.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/16/bush.address.ap/index.html

Funny he waits till now to do this, also I think he's pissed that he won't have a blank check anymore.

[droidamus2]

1. Typical

This is a typical Republican ploy, see that the Democrats are going to do something that will give them good pr (and be a good thing to do) and then jump them by making a big announcement that the Republicans are doing it first. Of course in the end the Republicans won't do anything or they will do as little as they think they can possibly get away with. That way when the Democrats come up with their plan for even stronger restrictions the Republicans can say "We've already dealt with that let's move on to more important things".

[MasonJar]

2. Typical Bush! The few people who do not already know that

the dems are way ahead on this will still continue to give "bubble boy" his 27%.

[babylonsister]

3. Odd that this was never an issue with the rethugs prior to November. nt

[kedrys]

4. How about signing statements?

I'd be far more impressed if the little bitch announced that he's cracking down on himself for all those illegal signing statements... :nuke:

[rodeodance]

5. He is the 'oversight" for the Congress (now that there is a Dem congress-

What a HOOT).

[LynneSin]

6. He wants to get his version out that will keep the loopholes in there for earmarks

Kinda like his 'Leave No Child Behind' bill - it was really just a giveaway to the people who want to destroy public education in hopes of getting the fundies in there to take over the schools

[liberal N proud]

7. So does that mean that when the Democrats cut these he will sign the bill?

Yeah, RIIIIIGHT!

Remember what ever comes from the mouth of the monkey boy is a lie and expect the opposite in his follow through.

[GreenZoneLT]

8. I smell sulfur. Rove no doubt came up with this.

A prime example of a guy being chased by the cops claiming he's leading a parade.

[derby378]

9. He wants to beat Pelosi to the punch

Whatta maroon.

[Marr]

10. This just makes him look even more criminal, IMHO.

He's obviously doing this because the Dems are about to put such an agenda before him, and obstructing it would be politically unfeasible. So he's going to jump in *now*, afer six years of unrivaled fraud and theft, and say, "see? Look how honest I am!".

It looks lame, and it only stands in stark relief against his record of the past six years. He looks like a kid who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, saying, "I was getting a cookie for you, mommie".

[William769]

11. How could he get caught with his hand in the cookie jar?

After he stole it, he broke it.