Spring Break
Speakers discuss congressional earmarks, shift of power between branches
By: Brooke Lein
Issue date: 9/18/08 Section: News
In an effort to promote communication and consultation between the executive and legislative branch on the loaded issue of war, the "War Powers Consultation Act" was proposed.
"We are at a standstill and we clearly need thought given to this proposal," Riley said.
Former Oklahoma congressman Earnest Istook talked about Pork Barrel expenditures, and the negative effects of earmarking funding.
Istook defined earmarks as anything that directs, specifically, the use of money. He said that they are used to get around certain "formulas" used by the congressional appropriations committee to direct governmental funds.
"The problem is that earmarks can go crazy," Istook said.
Members of Congress abuse the ability to earmark money, and a significant amount of low priority projects are funded at the expense of more pressing national issues.
Istook used the collapsing of a Minnesota bridge as an example of the dangers that pork barrel politics pose to the welfare of citizens. He explained that the transportation bills that were presented to Congress prior to the deadly collapse were geared towards allocating funds for new, unnecessary sidewalks.
By failing to address the bigger, more prevalent problem, Congress refused and overlooked the opportunity to prevent the deaths of innocent people.
Istook compared earmark funding to Lays potato chips.
"Once you get started, you can't do just one, and that's the difficulty," he said.
Istook inferred that earmarking funds is, in most cases, an illustration of each congressman's commitment to his or her district. He said that members of Congress often appropriate funds to projects that will benefit their constituents, rather than thinking about holistic national objectives.
"We are at a standstill and we clearly need thought given to this proposal," Riley said.
Former Oklahoma congressman Earnest Istook talked about Pork Barrel expenditures, and the negative effects of earmarking funding.
Istook defined earmarks as anything that directs, specifically, the use of money. He said that they are used to get around certain "formulas" used by the congressional appropriations committee to direct governmental funds.
"The problem is that earmarks can go crazy," Istook said.
Members of Congress abuse the ability to earmark money, and a significant amount of low priority projects are funded at the expense of more pressing national issues.
Istook used the collapsing of a Minnesota bridge as an example of the dangers that pork barrel politics pose to the welfare of citizens. He explained that the transportation bills that were presented to Congress prior to the deadly collapse were geared towards allocating funds for new, unnecessary sidewalks.
By failing to address the bigger, more prevalent problem, Congress refused and overlooked the opportunity to prevent the deaths of innocent people.
Istook compared earmark funding to Lays potato chips.
"Once you get started, you can't do just one, and that's the difficulty," he said.
Istook inferred that earmarking funds is, in most cases, an illustration of each congressman's commitment to his or her district. He said that members of Congress often appropriate funds to projects that will benefit their constituents, rather than thinking about holistic national objectives.
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