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House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., called for the suspension of all earmarks in fiscal 2009 appropriations bills and said Tuesday he would not make such requests this year.

"We have a problem in Congress," Waxman said in a statement that seemingly puts him in line with House Republican leaders on the issue. "Congressional spending through earmarks is out of control. I think our best approach would be to suspend all earmarks for the 2009 appropriations cycle while we consider the right reforms for the earmark process. As a result I will not submit any requests to the Appropriation Committee for this fiscal year."

Waxman praised the "real progress" made by Appropriations Chairman David Obey, D-Wisc., in cutting earmarks in fiscal 2008 appropriations bills by 30 percent. But, he added, too many questionable projects were still being funded.

While he did not directly address the call from Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, for a moratorium on lawmakers requesting earmarks so a bipartisan task force can review ways to reform the process, Waxman's declaration places him at odds with the Democratic leaders. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and the rest of the Democratic leadership have largely ignored the GOP's rhetoric, dismissing it as not a real effort at reform.

Republicans were quick to welcome one of the most reform-minded Democrats to their side of the issue.

"I'm glad to see that a senior Democrat like Chairman Waxman has realized that the earmark reform measures that House Democrats have enacted are completely inadequate," said a Boehner spokesman.

While Boehner's office has been gung-ho on the GOP earmark reform plan as a means to get back in touch with its fiscally conservative base, some in House GOP circles do not see the effort as a winning one for House Republicans. They point out that lawmaker-directed earmarks actually represent less than 1 percent of the federal budget.

Boehner launched a Web site today to tout the GOP's earmark efforts. The site is at earmarkreform.house.gov.

COMMENTS

• More eye candy for the great unwashed that are paying attention. Let's face it, these people will never reform this type of activity unless their feet are held to the fire. Unfortunately most americans are asleep at the wheel and have little idea of the extent of the issue. Waxman's just passing a little BS in the hopes that it'll yield value to his continuing search for job security. Re-elect the good that meet you're personal values and remove the clowns that don't understand the basic concept that they work for the taxpayer not the other way around. Proof of the pudding is the presumed election of John McCain, Now the GOP is trying to convince the american voter that Johnny hasn't been thumbing his nose at the conservative base his entire career. If you listen to politician's blather you'll fall for his game everytime. Watch what he does..... rick Posted February 14, 2008 9:48 AM
• BRAVO for Mr. Waxman! If the Congress would eliminate earmarks from the FY09 appropriations, it would be a clear sign that they are serious about financial reform. Unfortunately, I don't believe they have the will to do this. Earmarks are how individual members demonstrate their effectiveness as Congressmen/women to their constituents - "bringing home the bacon" - and a critical element in succeeding at their true objective - to get reelected. Personally, I'm voting against the incumbent this fall and encourage all persons to do the same thing. It's the only way we'll see change is by turning out the incumbents. DG Posted February 14, 2008 7:44 AM