Earmark reform passes House
The House of Representative passed meaningful earmark reform, but it needs to remain permanant. The rule change requires that members of Congress must attach their name to earmark requests.
The legislation passed 245 to 171.
Here is how the Georgia Delegation voted...
Yea: Barrow (D-12th), Deal (R-10), Gingrey (R-11th), Linder (R-7th), Norwood, Price (R-6th), Westmoreland (R-8th)
Nay: Bishop (D-2nd), Kingston (R-1st), Lewis (D-5th), McKinney (D-4th), Scott (D-13th),
NV: Marshall (D-3rd)
I'm really disappointed in Jack Kingston. In June, Kingston told me that he was fighting against wasteful earmarks in committee. I accepted that as a reason for him not voting for the Flake Amendments.
However, today he was one of 24 Republicans to vote against his party to get this much needed rule change passed and continue the secretive process of earmarks.
Congressman Kingston, why don't you believe that taxpayers have a right to know how Congress is spending their money?
[UPDATE] Instapundit has more on the vote.
[UPDATE II] Welcome Instapundit readers.
Comments
I see Kingston and the rest of the Dems cannot stand the thought of accountability.
Posted by: Larry Stanley | September 14, 2006 08:22 PM
Times I've seen Congressman Kingston say in a video that he would work hard to cut wasteful spending: 1
Times I will ever take him seriously again: 0
Posted by: Joe Magyer | September 14, 2006 09:32 PM
You only have twelve congressmen (of Georgia's delegation of thirteen) listed. Who is the thirteenth, and how did he vote?
Posted by: timekeeper | September 15, 2006 02:16 AM
Went and did a little searching...
Max Barrow voted FOR the amendment; he was the only Dem in the Georgia delegation to vote for it.
Posted by: timekeeper | September 15, 2006 02:22 AM
Thanks for pointing that out.
Posted by: Jason | September 15, 2006 06:51 AM
congratulations, jason!
I first read of your consternation with Rep. Kingston at Club for Growth. Shows how speaking up can get attention. Wish we could get Rep. Kingston's attention.
Thank God for the true conservatives who voted to allow us further scrutiny.
Posted by: Patriot | September 15, 2006 11:15 AM