House Republicans Take A Victory Lap
House Republicans are rejoicing over their routing of the Democrats' plan to establish a slush fund for secret earmarks. Faced with a united Republican caucus and the prospect of their scheme becoming better known to the American people, the Democrats capitulated. Congressman Jeb Hensarling has more on his web site:
This week, RSC members led the charge on the floor to hold Democrats accountable for their actions. And I have to say, I am sincerely proud of our effort, and proud of all the members who helped in this effort. From John Campbell, to Marsha Blackburn, Tom Price, Patrick McHenry, John Carter, Virginia Foxx, John Shadegg, Michelle Bachmann, Doug Lamborn, Scott Garrett, and Mary Fallin, our folks were warriors in this effort. Working together on a united front with our Republican Leadership - including Leader Boehner, Republican Whip Roy Blunt, Conference Chairman Adam Putnam, Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (and of course Judge Carter - his energy was inspiring) House Republicans were victorious in our effort to protect taxpayers from an onslaught of secret Democrat spending hidden in earmark slush funds.From the start, I believe that the Democrats knew that they had an indefensible position – that taxpayers should blindly fund Members’ pet projects without allowing them to be debated or questioned. There just is no defense for government to secretly spend the taxpayer dollar on members' pet projects. It took Democrats just about three days to cave into the Republican effort to pull back the curtain and allow earmarks to be seen by taxpayers, journalists and other Members of Congress in the light of day.
I am sure that this must be a sad day in the Speaker’s office, but it’s a great day for taxpayers. Yesterday, along with Republican Whip Roy Blunt, I participated in a conference call with bloggers, and I was thrilled to get a chance to talk to the real warriors - the grassroots leaders of our effort. We will need your help to continue to spread the message. From our end, our commitment to you is that House conservatives will remain united in our effort to protect American taxpayers and continue to serve as a watchdog over the secretive Democrats and their free spending ways. We've only just begun.
The House Republicans are taking the lead in showing what a determined, unified minority can do, even in a body where the rules appear to be hopelessly stacked in favor of the majority. Let's hope they keep it up!
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