Lummis, Kirkpatrick Spearhead Bipartisan Plan For Earmark Reform

Press Release

U.S. Representatives Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., and Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., are leading a bipartisan charge to reform the congressional earmark process by restoring fiscal responsibility and transparency to the broken system.

"American families are being forced to cut back on their expenses and make sacrifices to deal with the effects of the economic downturn," Lummis said. "They are right to be frustrated with the inability of Congress to control its own fiscal appetite as their tax dollars support an endless trough of pet projects. It is way past time to restore transparency, fairness and fiscal restraint to the earmark process. Our plan will do just that."

"Funding from appropriations can be responsible and awarded fairly as long as the process is open and transparent, and that is where Washington has often fallen short," said Kirkpatrick. "This bill will continue efforts to reform the appropriations process so that we can ensure that taxpayer dollars are well spent."

The "Predictable, Equitable and Transparent (PET) Project Act," H.R. 3233, will cap the amount of money available for earmarks at no more than one percent of congressional spending. The bill will divide earmark funds equally between the House and Senate and equally among members of both bodies. Members of Congress would be forced to prioritize within their limit, but also have the option to devote the money to deficit reduction.

"Earmarks may only be a small part of the federal budget, but they add up. Last year alone, earmarks cost taxpayers $19.6 billion," Lummis added. "My bill will cut the cost of earmarks by almost half, give members of Congress the option to use their earmark dollars to reduce the deficit, and shine a spotlight on the process."

The PET Project Act creates a permanent public record of earmark requests, as well as an electronic database of earmark requests that is timely, user-friendly and accessible by the public. Each member will be required to submit all earmark requests, whether or not they are funded, for posting on House and Senate clerks' websites. They will also be required to submit in the Congressional Record certifications that members and their immediate families have no financial interest in their requests.

The PET Project Act also prohibits "air-dropped" earmarks that escape public scrutiny by being added last minute to House-Senate conference report bills that are unamendable and on which debate is limited. The bill will require earmarks to first pass either the House or Senate.

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