Despite support from Presidential Candidates on both sides; the Associated Press is reporting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has quietly put any hope of an earmark moratorium on ice. 

Over the past month, Pelosi has steadily increased her criticism of the controversial earmark system in Congress:

 “My patience is running out on earmarks….” (AP, 3/6/08)

Speaker Pelosi: “I'm not sure that I see a scenario in which there would be earmarks this year.” (The Washington Post, 3/14/08)

Speaker Pelosi “has signaled a growing weariness with the [earmark] debate and a desire to take the issue off the table going into the November elections.” (Politico, 3/11/08)

“House Dems consider forcing vote on earmarks. House Democratic leaders have grown irritated at … calls for earmark reform by Republicans, and are contemplating … a moratorium on pet spending projects.” (The Hill, 3/6/08)

It just goes to show, that the porkers are still in charge of the Democrats and they still retain significant influence with Republican leadership.  Otherwise, we would have had an earmark moratorium by now.

Thus far 38 Members of the House (4 Democrats & 34 Republicans) have voluntarily taken a pledge to halt their requests for earmarks.

Those of you who follow Congressional proceedings closely will know that tomorrow the House will take up consideration for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  This legislation has been tossed around in committee between Republicans and Democrats before a “bipartisan agreement” was reached

Originally PEPFAR was authorized for $15 billion ($3 billion for five years). Presently, PEPFAR gets about $6 billion a year. This new legislation being considered would increase this authorization to $10 billion per year or $50 billion over 5 years.

But the simple fact remains, it spends too much money.

Today, I submitted an amendment that will level fund the program at 3 billion per year. 

The point here is that PEPFAR and numerous other government programs spend too much money.  PEPFAR increases the overall foreign aid program by 15%, by itself.  All in a year when the economy is teetering on recession. 

We now have a deficit projected at over $400 billion and increasing; and many people here in Washington are talking about raising taxes. With spending programs like this, we will never get to a balance if we keep increasing such programs by over 300%.  Not to mention, programs like these are separate of our defense and domestic needs

If there was a time to pull in the reins on spending, it is now.