GOP Takes On Rep. Obey's Earmarks

Republican members of the fiscally conservative Republican Study Committee are urging all House Republicans to fight off efforts by Appropriations Committee leaders, especially Chairman David Obey, to insert earmarks for pet projects.

“During this first week of appropriations season, RSC member participation is mission critical,” an internal memo from the RSC urges. “The actions of Chairman Obey and the Democratic leadership are contrary to the best interests of the taxpayer and stand in stark contrast to those that they espoused during the 2006 campaign cycle. By failing to remain true to their campaign promises, Democrats have created a House of Hypocrisy,” adds the memo provided to U.S. News.

Many conservative Republicans were buoyed when the Democratic leadership appeared to strike at earmarks during the last campaign. But Obey has suggested that he will allow them and said yesterday that he would put out a list for members to review. But the RSC, headed by Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas, suggested that critics won’t be listened to, a charge a Democratic leadership aide dismissed.

The aide explained that Democratic voters are just as concerned about earmark abuse as Republican voters. But in its memo, the RSC says, “It is difficult to imagine Chairman Obey sitting in a locked room in the Capitol sifting through thousands of letters that will no doubt be submitted by concerned members.” To fight earmarks, the RSC suggests members call Obey the “earmark czar” and call any list a “Democratic slush fund.”

--Paul Bedard