Shut Down Favor Factory
by Tom Pauken

John McCain of Arizona and Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma have sent a letter to all of their fellow members of the U.S. Senators announcing their commitment to challenge each and every "earmark" on the floor of the Senate.

Currently, individual Congressmen routinely put in special provisions (known as "earmarks") attached to appropriations bills which are highly sought after by well-heeled lobbyists on behalf of their clients. The earmark usually benefit a narrow interest and often are attached to legislation without any debate or discussion. Coburn and McCain point out in their letter that, by forcing the full Senate to consider these provisions, "this will give all Senators the opportunity to learn the merits of earmarked projects and affirm or reject them."

The two Senators put it well when they say: "Decisions about how taxpayer dollars are spent should not be made in the dark."

Perhaps, one good thing that is coming of this Washington lobbyist scandal is that the old way of doing business in Washington by cavaliering spending "other people’s money" (in this case taxpayers’ dollars) at the behest of a variety of special interests may come under increased scrutiny and challenge.

To view a copy of the letter Senators Coburn and McCain sent their fellow Senators click here (in pdf format).

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