House Passes Earmark Rule
The U.S. House of Representatives voted Friday to make the process of “earmarking” more accountable . The rule requires that legislators attach their names to these pet spending projects and attest that they have no financial interest in them.
It is hoped that this measure will help prevent corruption such as sale of earmarks to government contractors, personal gifts to campaign contributors, and distribution for votes by party leaders. It is also designed to eliminate the direction of taxpayer money toward friends, relatives, and business associates.
A Senate proposal, expected to be taken up next week, is not nearly as sweeping in scope, but lawmakers hope to put more bite into those rules, too.
Indiana Representative Mike Pence(R), is typically not enthusiastic. Nobody is more protective of big business, party politics, and governmental secrecy than Pence.
