Congressman John Campbell's Blog - Green Eyeshade Blog

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Posted by: John Campbell at 1:51 PM

The Defense Authorization Bill for 2009 is set to hit the floor today and already a battle is brewing over earmarks. House Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) included a provision in the enormous Defense authorization that rejects President Bush’s Executive Order: Protecting American Taxpayers From Government Spending on Wasteful Earmarks which directs Executive Branch agencies not to commit, obligate, or expend funds on the basis of earmarks included in the actual text of legislation. Not only do they undo President Bush’s executive order, they also have indicated their intent to “sneak” earmarks into bills at the last minute using a process known as “airdropping”, will be actively used.

The provision inserted into the bill is only 5 lines long but effectively declares that the president’s executive order “shall not apply”. The bill currently lists 541 individual projects totaling $9.9 billion in the accompanying report.

It appears that the earmarkers are now more determined than ever to bring home the bacon.

Oink.

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Dread writes:	Wednesday, May, 21, 2008 2:07 PM
Oh...
Come now, Congressman, don't you realize that if even one cent is cut from a proposed Defense Department budget, the terrorists will have won? Shame on you, Sir. ;)
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Pasadena Phil writes:	Wednesday, May, 21, 2008 2:29 PM
Congressman
If you are serious about bringing pressure to bear, start naming specific Republicans. We know how to fax and dial but can't do anything until you step up to the plate and take the lead to do something SPECIFIC.
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chuck writes:	Friday, May, 23, 2008 12:00 PM
Dread
I agree we should get rid of our HATEFUL MEAN MILITARY anyway because all they do is DEFEND other COUNTRIES better than our own. Maybe we can tell the Terrorist they can come over and start killing/beheading our children and old folks because all they do is put a burden on our ECONOMY and get all those free program.Once we CUT DEFENSE SPENDING again like CLINTON did then what? We will have to wait 20 to 30 yrs to catch up with the rest of the WORLD militarily again. Dread do you honestly think that this DO NOTHING DEM LED CONGRESS really gives a SH!T about what we the people think. If you do then I have some swamp land fill with DEFENCE CUTS that I can sell you
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About John Campbell

John Campbell is a member of the House Financial Services Committee, and has taken a leadership role in addressing the country's top economic issues. Campbell serves as a member of the Joint Economic Committee, and House Committee on the Budget. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from UCLA and a Master's Degree in Taxation from USC.