Wilson Statement on Democrats' Hidden Earmarks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2007

CONTACT: Ryan Murphy
(202) 225-2452 (Office)
(202) 689-4825 (Cell)

Wilson Statement on Democrats' Hidden Earmarks

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) today released the following statement regarding Democrat attempts to decrease transparency in the earmark process:

???This week, Democrat Leaders will begin pushing their appropriations bills through the House without proper analysis or consideration.

???Less than a year ago, then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi proclaimed that her caucus was committed to restoring integrity to Congress. Specifically, she stated Democrats would ??????bring full accountability and transparency to all earmarks, those in authorization bills as well as those in appropriations bill.???

???Yet today, House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey has turned his back on such promises, branding Republican attempts to hold Democrats accountable as ???demagoguery.???

???Last year, Republicans passed legislation to identify all earmarks by the sponsoring Member???s name and allow Members to challenge individual earmarks on the House floor.

???Despite their promise to run the ???most open and honest Congress in history,??? it appears the Democrat-controlled House becomes more closed and secretive everyday.???

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