Banks Speaks Against Earmarks, Pork Barrel Spending

Statement

Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03) today participated in an event hosted by Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) to unveil the 25th edition of the "Congressional Pig Book," an annual published collection of wasteful federal spending.

During the event, Banks spoke against government waste and signed a pledge to support a ban on earmarks. Video of Banks speaking is available here.

"Bringing back earmarks is the opposite of what the voters expect of this Congress," said Banks. "I support the work of CAGW to expose government waste and shed light on the danger of earmarks. I was proud today to sign a pledge in support of a moratorium on this type of wasteful spending."

Background: Today Congressman Banks joined CAGW President Tom Schatz, Sens. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chair Mark Walker (NC-6), former RSC Chair Bill Flores (TX-17), and Reps. Ron DeSantis (FL-6) at the event. The 2017 Congressional Pig Book exposes earmarks in Fiscal Year 2017 that cost taxpayers $6.8 billion.

During the event, Congressman Banks signed a pledge to:
(1) Not request any earmarks;
(2) Support extending the earmark moratorium; and,
(3) Support a permanent earmark ban.

The event also included a live pig named Faye to represent wasteful government "pork spending."

Source