House GOP Approves Earmark Moratorium

During a meeting of the entire House Republican Conference, we approved an amendment to our rules that will create a 10 member earmark reform panel with the responsibility of completing a report that makes recommendations to House Republicans on how to reform the process of requesting earmarks. In the interim, a moratorium on requests for earmarks for House Republican members will remain in place.

The move by the House Republican Conference is important because it demonstrates a sincere commitment to the American people to deal with one of the underlying problems in Washington: government waste of taxpayer money. Though the earmark process is not the only source of government waste, I hope this will lead to a Congress-wide effort to drastically reform and bring transparency to the earmark process.

The status quo was simply unacceptable, particularly with large budget deficits and the economic issues facing our country. In the upcoming 111th Congress, I look forward to continuing my track record as a champion of fiscal responsibility and restraint.

I am honored to represent the 24th District of Texas, and appreciate your interest in my e-newsletter.  Please contact my District or DC office with any further questions you may have or visit my website at www.marchant.house.gov.