Congressman John Campbell's Blog - Green Eyeshade Blog

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Posted by: John Campbell at 1:12 PM

The Defense Appropriations Bill in the Senate has been unveiled and frankly, it is staggering. Senate appropriators disclosed approximately 936 earmarks totaling $5.1 billion. Republican Senator Ted Stevens led the earmarking pack with $189 million, followed by Democrat Senators Daniel Inouye at $183 million & Robert Byrd at $166 million. Interestingly enough, these three Senators represent the states of Alaska, Hawaii, and West Virginia whose combined total population would just barely pass Oregon which ranks 27th in population among the 50 states.

What I find most interesting is not the disclosed earmarks, but rather those that are undisclosed. Typically the total earmarks in an appropriations bill can be more than double with the inclusion of undisclosed earmarks. The House version of the Defense appropriations bill contained $3 billion in earmarks, but adding in undisclosed projects in the senate raised the total to the $6.5 billion neighborhood.

Admitting you have problem is always the first step. Until Congress and the appropriators agree to disclose each and every earmark for public review and debate, we cannot begin to have meaningful earmark reform.

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BoSox_or_Bust writes:	Wednesday, September, 19, 2007 3:11 PM
Bipartisan Arogance
Let's give these 3 whining weenies a box of "Depends" and get them out of Washington.
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libphobic writes:	Wednesday, September, 19, 2007 3:23 PM
cauliflower ears
The Congress has dished out so many wasteful earmarks that the American public suffers from Cauliflower ears. It's time to stipulate that every U.S. bill under consideration is inviolate and that earmarks or riders be outlawed.
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LuckyRock2 writes:	Wednesday, September, 19, 2007 3:39 PM
Let em have it, Campbell
Rep. Campbell, Keep on keepin' on. You're one of the only brave ones who will stand up to Stevens and friends. I strongly encourage you to take your anti-earmark campaign to every talk show and media outlet available. American taxpayers are watching and will vote accordingly, if this story gets out...
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dogjudge writes:	Wednesday, September, 19, 2007 4:16 PM
Kudos
I came here expecting a condemnation of the Democrats and wasteful spending. Instead I see that Rep. Campbell lists Ted Stevens as the top violator of the public's trust. Kudos to Rep. Campbell.
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Cold Hard Truth writes:	Wednesday, September, 19, 2007 4:54 PM
Out with Stevens
I used to think Sen. Stevens was an horable person. But when he voted "not guilty" on the perjury charge during the '99 Clinton impeachment proceeding, I realized something was amiss. How do think Stevens "brings home the bacon" year after year? He works backroom deals with both sides of the aisle. I'm sure the '99 "not guilty" vote bought Stevens several years of pork from the Demoncrat machine. Gawd, do we need term limits!
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Raven writes:	Wednesday, September, 19, 2007 7:13 PM
@libphobic
You are singing a tune I heartily agree with. One small problem though, who are the one's who have the power to make them inviolate? The one's who violate them. We need to deal with them first I am afraid.
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wildwest writes:	Wednesday, September, 19, 2007 7:24 PM
earmarks
again i plead with the voters. When your discover your respresentatives looting the treasury to reward special interest groups or campaign contributors it is our responsibility to send these bums and crooks packing. As long as we remain mcontent with the status quo nothing will change. Congress is similar to crack addicts and is incapable of changing it;s behavior or getting off it's addiction to money. But pelosi and reid claimed to end the culture of corruption. Obviously looting the treasury is not an act of corruption
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scooteraz writes:	Thursday, September, 20, 2007 8:16 AM
Presidential Elections
We need to start fanning the flames of the Presidential candidates who won't stop this behavior. Whatever it takes, the next President needs to stop this behavior; this is irresponsibility at its height of arrogance by people who think that they are allowed to raid the cookie jar at whim and our expense.
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Bucko writes:	Thursday, September, 20, 2007 11:56 AM
Keep It Up!
Representative Campbell. I've been listening to you on HH since you were a CA assemblyman. The only way that we'll get government that we can afford, government that is worth the money, and the government that this country deserves, is by the dogged determination of men like you. Your efforts do not go unnoticed nor unappreciated.
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EB writes:	Thursday, September, 20, 2007 6:16 PM
What a shame
It's too bad these greedy bastards aren't held accountable, and voted out of office. Thanks to people like you and Jeff Flake, hopefully change is in the air. BUT,I'm not holding my breath.
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celdd writes:	Monday, September, 24, 2007 10:41 PM
Earmark Accountability
In addition to the public disclosure of documentation of earmarks of specific congressmembers, I would like to see daily logs of each congressmembers meeting with constituents and lobbyists and what they are promoting. A bonus would be a notation if that meeting(s) resulted in donations or legislation, and what the net benefit is to the lobbyist's cause. Because of security, I understand if this has to be posted after the fact. A good-faith showing by Congressman Campbell would be to post his meetings and public appearances.
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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.