Van Hollen Supports House Ban On For-Profit Earmarks

Statement

Van Hollen Supports House Ban On For-Profit Earmarks

Today Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Assistant to the Speaker, issued the following statement on the House Appropriations Committee ban on for-profit earmarks:

"I strongly support today's announcement by the House Appropriations Committee that they will no longer approve any earmark requests that are directed to for-profit entities. I have long advocated for this reform, and I instituted this policy in my own office two years ago. The reforms established when Democrats took the majority in 2006 include strong accountability and transparency measures, and this is another important step in our continuing effort to reform the appropriations process."

BACKGROUND:

When Democrats returned to the majority in 2007 they instituted several major earmark reforms:

* In 2007, Democrats suspended all earmarks until a reformed process could be put in place. New House rules were adopted that required robust earmark disclosures -- including detailed lists of every earmark and its sponsor, a public certification from every Member that they have no financial interest in any earmark request, and identification of earmarks "air-dropped" in conference. Additionally, the House prohibited the conditioning of any earmark on any vote cast by a Member of Congress.
* In 2008, building upon the 2007 reforms, the total dollar amount earmarked for non-project-based accounts was reduced by 43% below FY 2006.
* In 2009, all Members were required to post online their earmark requests and justification, and the executive branch was directed to review all earmark requests. Additionally, the list of funded earmarks was made public at the earliest possible date -- the subcommittee markup; all House earmarks intended for for-profit entities were required to be competed, and the total amount earmarked was reduced even further, achieving a 50% reduction below FY 2006.
* This year, the House Appropriations Committee announced that it will not approve requests for earmarks that are directed to for-profit entities, and agency Inspectors General will be required to audit at least 5% of all earmarks directed to non-profit entities. Additionally, an online "one-stop" link to all House Members' appropriations earmark requests will be established to help the public easily view them.

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