McConnell, Senate Republicans start to feel the heat over earmarks

[babylonsister]

McConnell, Senate Republicans start to feel the heat over earmarks
By Alexander Bolton - 03/16/10 06:00 AM ET


Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his leadership team are drawing fire from conservatives over earmarks, an unwelcome distraction in the midst of the healthcare debate.

Senate Republicans this week will discuss adopting a one-year moratorium on earmarks, but critics expect the Senate leaders to take a softer stance on the practice of sending federal money to individual districts than did House GOP leaders.

The main reason is that five members of the Senate leadership, including McConnell (Ky.), sit on the Appropriations Committee and have doled out earmarks to their districts in recent years. Critics say they don’t expect that to change.

McConnell used his seat on the committee to win 38 solo earmarks, worth $60.2 million, for his constituents in fiscal 2010, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan group that tracks federal spending.

The leader touted his work as an appropriator during his difficult reelection race in 2008, frequently reminding voters of his ability to deliver for Kentucky.

Democrats, who have reeled lately from GOP arguments against healthcare reform, are also hitting McConnell on earmarks.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) pounced on McConnell on Monday after he criticized the administration’s allocation of stimulus funds, citing an earmark he requested a decade ago that sent $1.2 million for a conservation effort on the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.

more...

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/86933-mcconnell-senate-gop-feel-the-heat-on-earmarks

[era veteran]

1. Kentucky has paid the price for Mitchies' pork

We have slid backwards in lots of areas on Mitchies' watch. He has got to go. We will try again, maybe the DNC could spend some time, effort, and money next time this out of touch chickenhawk runs again. We also need a viable candidate next time.

[global1]

2. I Suspect That If Earmarks Get Shut Down That......

they can use additional stimulus packages to get a like effect - and kind of cover up the fact that the monies used in stimulus are really not earmarks - but stimulus.

They have a way in Congress for getting the same thing - but calling it something different - to give them political cover.