CQ TODAY MIDDAY UPDATE
Nov. 20, 2008 – 1:13 p.m.
House GOP Backs Away from Earmark Moratorium
For the second year in a row, the House GOP caucus Thursday rejected an effort to limit its members’ requests for special projects, or earmarks, in this case a short-term moratorium.
The vote again exposed fissures among GOP conservatives and could undercut one of the party’s signature themes, limited government.
Minority Leader John A. Boehner of Ohio and Eric Cantor of Virginia had unveiled late Wednesday a moratorium on GOP earmark requests through Feb. 16 while a new panel of Republicans comes up with proposals for permanent restrictions and disclosure requirements for earmarks
But Todd Tiahrt of Kansas, an appropriator, offered an amendment to strip the requirement for an earmark moratorium. And Tiahrt’s moratorium-killing proposal was approved by the full caucus, said several GOP aides. The amended rules package was then adopted.
Tiahrt has been a staunch defender of earmarks, and has been a rival of outgoing Republican Study Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling of Texas, one of the strongest proponents of a permanent earmark moratorium for all Republicans. Tiahrt lost a bitter head-to-head race against Hensarling for the chairmanship of the RSC at the start of the 110th Congress, and later opted to leave the conservative faction.
Boehner downplayed the conference’s decision to strip the moratorium language.
“I’m not sure the moratorium would have had that much impact,” he said.
Comments
If Boehner didn't think the moratorium would have an impact, why'd he propose it? More of the same crap sandwich leadership for Boehner.
Ha! What a surprise, Republicans say one thing and do another. No wonder their party is in the toilet.
The GOP is toast.
Good for Tihart. Why should the GOP leave their districts wanting while Pelosi/Reid/Obama raid funds? Finally a conservative with some guts. The real problem is the authorizers-those who create the budget. The authorizers and budgeteers Flake, Ryan, Pence, Hensarling are the real spending culprits who send the national debt soaring and rob social security year after year while pointing fingers at the appropriators who just play the hand they are dealt. Its so easy to get on tv yelling about pork (clean water, bridge maintenance, meth lab cleanup) while your hand is robbing the social security till.
Voted Republican, registered Republican for 51 years, until THIS year. From now on, will be an independent, voting for the individual PERSON that I determine will be most fit for office.. Read both books, "Perfectly Legal" and "Free Lunch" written by David Cay Johnson: Exposes how current IRS TAX LAW has helped the rich get richer, while the middle class has spiraled downhill. No amount of hard work will get you what the IRS Tax regulations have accomplished for those Super-wealthy who are able to "shelter" their income with the help of clever tax attorneys. After reading these two books, an exposé to the myth of a genuine Free Enterprise System under our current tax-laws, you will view Republican trickle-down doctrine very differently! Rush Limbaugh says that top 1% pay most of taxes. Maybe, if they actually PAID levied taxes! NOT SO while using complex tax shelters, along with P.O. Boxes located on Cayman Islands. Bank bail outs = Socialism for the wealthy
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