Alexander Calls On Senate to Follow Fiscal Reform Working Group Recommendations, Improve Sunshine and Accountability in Spending
“Republicans want to bring more sunshine and accountability to the way Washington spends taxpayer dollars.” – Lamar Alexander
April 3, 2008 -
WASHINGTON – Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, today made the following remarks regarding the recommendations of the Fiscal Reform Working Group:
“Republicans want to bring more sunshine and accountability to the way Washington spends taxpayer dollars. The earmark process needs fundamental reform, which is why I voted for a one-year earmark time-out. Senator McConnell was right to ask senators with diverse viewpoints to review how we manage appropriations, authorization, and tax bills. I am particularly pleased that the Fiscal Reform Working Group unanimously endorsed the Lugar Report, and I believe the Senate ought to implement its recommendations. These reforms would mean real change in the way Washington works.”
The working group was chaired by Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) and also included Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.).
The Lugar Report’s recommendations are below:
DEBT REDUCTION
Savings from stricken earmarks may be applied to the national debt rather than simply being spent elsewhere.
TRANSPARENCY
All earmarks in appropriations, authorization, and tax bills must be placed in the bill text. This gives greater opportunity to challenge and strike air-dropped earmarks.
Members should make available on their websites information on successfully inserted earmarks. Also, successful earmarks should be made public in a searchable format on the relevant committee’s website at least 48 hours before floor consideration.
Senators must provide full justification for a requested earmark and state whether the requesting member, member’s family, staff, or staff’s family will benefit financially from the earmark.
OVERSIGHT
Congress insists the executive branch provide full justification and review for requested earmarks.
