Senate Republicans set to vote on Tuesday for earmark ban proposed by Tom Coburn, others
NewsOK
BY CHRIS CASTEEL
Published: November 16, 2010
WASHINGTON — Even as the Senate's top Republican swore off earmarks, Sen. Jim Inhofe made a last-ditch attempt on Monday to preserve the process he has used to steer millions of dollars to highway, military and other projects in Oklahoma.
Inhofe, R-Tulsa, introduced a bill that would incorporate the earmark reform recommendations made in September by a coalition of government watchdog groups and lobbyists. But it appeared Inhofe's proposal would get scant consideration from Republicans, who returned to Washington on Monday determined to prove to voters that they have changed their ways.
Just hours before Inhofe's speech, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, announced that he would join House Republican leaders in supporting a two-year moratorium on earmarks, the special projects that lawmakers direct to their home districts. Senate Republicans are scheduled to vote on an earmark ban today.
McConnell, who has recently defended his own earmarks and the process, said Monday that he was willing to take the “small but important symbolic step” to show GOP resolve to cut spending... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Tue, November 16, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski