Blunt to vote no on Senate GOP earmarks prohibition

[proud2BlibKansan]

WASHINGTON -- Forces seeking to ban earmarks received a boost this afternoon when Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ken., joined them and called earmarks "a symbol of the waste and out-of-control spending."

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, also signed up with the anti-earmarkers today, as did GOP heavyweight Mitt Romney, who began an online campaign against the practice formally known as congressionally directed spending.

Their efforts were aimed toward a vote by Senate Republicans as early as Tuesday on a proposal for a moratorium on earmarks. It stands a strong chance of passing in one form or another.

Among those not endorsing the earmarks ban is Sen.-elect Roy Blunt, R-Mo. It comes as no surprise, but a spokeswoman for Blunt said this afternoon that he'll vote against the prohibition.

"He thinks it's the prerogative of the legislative branch, not the bureaucrats, to fight for projects in their states after they've sought the lowest possible budget," said Burson Taylor, the spokeswoman.

more . . . http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/article_360ae220-f108-11df-a456-0017a4a78c22.html

[Xipe Totec]

1. Hip! Hip! O'Crite! nt

[Historic NY]

2. If they are so damn important why didn't your state budget for them.