PenceBlog: <b>Congressman Pence lauds passage of earmark and lobbying reform bill</b> - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence : 6th District Of Indiana

Charles Hurt of The Washington Times writes that last night the House voted "to reform the process by which billions of dollars in government spending are doled out in political favors each year, but the move fell short of the reforms embraced by some conservatives."

Here is another excerpt from the article:

"'But as we change the way lobbyists spend their money, this Congress also understands that we must change the way we spend the money of the American people,' said Rep. Mike Pence, Indiana Republican. 'Understanding that you can't complain about the sharks when you're holding a bucket of chum, this bill contains historic and significant budget reforms.'"

Here is an excerpt from an Indianapolis Star article by Maureen Groppe:

"Rep. Mike Pence, R-Columbus, was part of a hard-fought effort to ensure that the bill passed Wednesday included new disclosure requirements for pet projects along with the ability to challenge such 'earmarks' that lawmakers put into spending bills for their districts or other interests.

"If the changes become law, Pence said, they would prevent the most egregious earmarks from being introduced since lawmakers won't want their names attached to them as would be required.

"'We can do more earmark reform,' Pence said, 'but we dare not do less.'"

posted by Pence Press Office # 10:11 AM