House rejects bill to rate merits of defense earmarks
Supporters said the measure would have allowed the public a look at what they argue is a shadowy Pentagon budget process.
The House on Friday overwhelmingly defeated legislation backed by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., that would establish a Pentagon "report card" system of grading congressional defense earmarks on their individual merits.
Added to the House suspension calendar by GOP leaders after Coburn exacted a commitment from Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., the measure was defeated 330-70, with even House Armed Services Chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., who spoke in support of the bill, appearing to hesitate.
Hunter became the 70th vote just seconds before the gavel fell. Members of the Appropriations Committee rounded up opposition to the bill on both sides of the aisle, aided by Armed Services ranking member Ike Skelton, D-Mo.
Opponents argued the measure would undermine congressional prerogatives in determining where the money goes and would cost Pentagon staff countless hours of work preparing their evaluations of defense spending.
Conservatives such as Reps. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Mike Pence of Indiana, outgoing chairman of the Republican Study Committee, watched the vote in bemused silence. They and other supporters say the bill would have allowed the public a glimpse into what they argue is a shadowy Pentagon budget process.