House Democrat Admits: We Know How to Bypass Earmark Ban
- Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:04am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Remember that earmark ban that was all the rage this winter? Apparently it doesn’t mean much to lawmakers.
A leading Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee indicated on Thursday that legislators have found ways to get around that ban, and are using their connections throughout government to get the funding they want.
Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA), an appropriator, made the telling remarks on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal”:
The Hill reports:
In response to a question about whether earmark bans have “curtailed” the Appropriations Committee’s power, Moran responded, “No, and I have to say — and I’m going to be as candid as possible — the appropriators are going to be okay because we know people in agencies and so on. We will continue to do the best job we can for the country and to some extent for our congressional districts because that’s our job as well.”
According to Moran, earmarking is a fact of congressional life, it’s just a matter of who does it. With the ban, he explains, the power is concentrated in the administration. He would rather see that power handed back to Congress:
“It seems to me that everyone would be far better off if Congress took back its appropriate role and distributed funds… that is in the best interest of the country and then let the executive branch weigh in so you have some balance.”
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Comments (106)
Alvin691
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 10:19amSo they are moving money around within and around different departments? HHS transferring money to EPA to enforce cap and trade?
Report Post »hownowbrownmao
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 10:15amOnce again, the democrat party illustrates just how naughty the really are. I hope the repubes take this opportunity to show how RESPONSIBLE governing is done. yeah…………….
Report Post »jerry1945
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 10:03amA good example for term limits!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »schmite123oh
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:54pmyep
Report Post »NJProud
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 10:02amRepresentative James Moron
Report Post »WAR PIGS CRAWLING
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:04pmDidn’t Bugs Bunny use to say “What a maroon”…
Report Post »Big_tuna
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:58amThese yahoo’s put Cosanostra to shame.
Report Post »All us have to remmeber it took this country long time to get to this point.
The only republican media support in the 80′s was National Review!
Today we have talk radio to fox news. We will prevail.
Truth will set you free.I donate $ 25 buck a month to Tea Party petriots.
One voice at a time.
pax_fratrem
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:55amIt sounds like Congress is willing to thwart interstate commerce clause by awarding federal tax money to individual states by congressional request. Earmarks in any form are illegal because my tax dollars are being used to buy votes for the other states.
Initiate a committee and defurnd that agency which takes these requests.
Report Post »matt708
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:50amwhere is the ethics committee that Piglosi is in charge of. Do you job Piglosi
Report Post »48
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 10:35amNot going to happen, that wind bag would never go after a democrap.
Report Post »dcwu
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:47amTime to make the bull a steer.
Report Post »Evasion of the ban needs to be made a felony with prison time.
momsense
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:46amFinally—an admission of treason against the will of American people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »moonpeace
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:44amX2 This just is not right! Is it ever going to end? We know the earmarks are for votes and favors, everybody knows that. If they weren‘t then these guys wouldn’t worry about making sure their name was attached to the earmark, perhaps being humble and anonymous instead of making sure that they get the credit. Honestly, I can see in rare cases where there could be an occasion for an earmark, but they should be voted on separately, on their own merit, and never attached to the end of some critical bill–like usually happens. An example is how they will attach earmarks to the end of some defense bill so that whoever votes down the earmark is also saying they are against supporting our military. We already know these politicians don’t read the entire bill anyway before voting. They have admitted as much. That just doesn’t make sense. Nobody is going to take the rap among their constituents for voting against our military support. Just one bill at a time is the way to go.
Report Post »moonpeace
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:43amThis just is not right! Is it ever going to end? We know the earmarks are for votes and favors, everybody knows that. If they weren‘t then these guys wouldn’t worry about making sure their name was attached to the earmark, perhaps being humble and anonymous instead of making sure that they get the credit. Honestly, I can see in rare cases where there could be an occasion for an earmark, but they should be voted on separately, on their own merit, and never attached to the end of some critical bill–like usually happens. An example is how they will attach earmarks to the end of some defense bill so that whoever votes down the earmark is also saying they are against supporting our military. We already know these politicians don’t read the entire bill anyway before voting. They have admitted as much. That just doesn’t make sense. Nobody is going to take the rap among their constituents for voting against our military support. Just one bill at a time is the way to go.
Report Post »tonyedward
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:40amYes “most people have know idea” how the Elite Ruling Class has cheated us out of our money. But we are learning fast.
Report Post »Beware of Romans
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:40amThis ‘Progressive’ crook should have been arrested immediately after taping this show.
Report Post »felina g
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:49amCzars and Executive orders signed in the middle of the night.
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 10:15amHe’s also a Catholic, Romans.
Bet that gets your knickers in a knot.
Report Post »psst
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:35amBest job for the country?
Report Post »Oh yeah. I think the pols are doing one fantistic job of bankrupting the country.
At least he’s honest about gaming the system.
Term limits is a must.
Or only property owners should have the right to vote.
Not to worry. Neither will happen.
Hands-out government brainwashed publiK sKrool lemmings and their marxist massas will babble about disenfranchising the lemmings of their right to vote. —Their hands into the pocket of the taxpayers.
In 20-30 yrs, these lemmings will be the majority (breeding like rabbits and invading the border)and still have the right to vote —-their hands into the pocket of hardworking taxpayers.
ameriKa. Speeding towards the Ash-heap/Bin of “histry”
jjoy
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:25amNo surprise here… Don’t we expect the dims to circumvent the rules and continue to pass out bribes in order to get their “programs” approved by the house and senate???
Report Post »icediva
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:24amUnbelievable! SO disgusted!
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:24amSo much for doing the will of the people, fiscal responsibility, and doing what is best for the country.
Report Post »48
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:24amWhy cant we get some honest politicians to represent us. You could probably count on one hand the number of politicians that really give a rats a$$ about the American people. As long as they get re elected that’s all they care about. The last election didnt even phase most of these idiots.
Report Post »moreteaplease
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:32amEven if that hand was in a circular saw accident.
Report Post »MAJORMINOR
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:37amWe do not need “politicians”….who look out for themselves first, their constituents next (maybe) and far down the list what is best for the nation.
We need “statesmen” who look at what is good and right for the nation in crafting solutions to todays’ problems.
Report Post »lel2007
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 10:06am“honest politicians” – a contradiction in terms.
Report Post »We “The People” demand our representatives show credentials proving they’re “qualified” for the tasks of governing. Perhaps if we could elect a “We The People” and instituted Term Limits with restrictions that Congress be in session only two months out of the year we would be relieved of big professional government.
chubby
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 2:52pmWhat we need is term limits!
Report Post »What else we need is a maximum dollar amount that can be used for elections and everyone seeking public office should have the same amount. What would these two things accomplish? No reason to be beholden to folks like the unions, etc cause you’re not gonna be in DC long enough for the big interest folks to use you.
ONE PIECE
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:23amIt is time that CONGRESS, all the corrupt one that is should be brought up on charges of corruption & put in JAIL!! I for one would like to see all of those in the system be put to work of the state in manual labor!!
Report Post »chubby
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 2:48pmWhy stop at Congress?
Report Post »In years past Congress tried/threatened to impeach two presidents, Nixon and Clinton. Neither man endangered our security both within and without as the current occupant of the oval office. Nixon had some tapes and Clinton had illicit sex but Mr. O…..he has lied, stolen, and cheated We The People.
Mister_Bill
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:19amI do not think we can trust anybody in Washington to disburse money honestly and fairly anymore. The only thing these politicians know how to count is their own votes.
Report Post »Grandmadar
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:23amMister_Bill maybe we could privatize that part! However, my Governor in Indiana tried that with Medicaid and that didn’t turn out to well!
Report Post »hopnmad
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 10:27am@ Mister Bill
They also know how to count our money as they waste it..
Report Post »GayDem4Beck
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:19amThey can willy nilly add ear marks to budgets, and think that’s an appropriate way to run the country and government…. but it’s not right or responsible to just reduce spending by cutting these programs/earmarks… What a load of crap.
Report Post »mrsmileyface
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:19amThe power of the purse is with the PEOPLE Sen. Moron. Hopefully when your term is up the good people of Alexandria Virgina metro area will replace you with someone what isnt looking to find loopholes in the system. We need Senators who work for the people not cronieyism.
Report Post »Grandmadar
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:18amAnd I thought our President was going to ban earmarks…and go “line by line”…yada, yada. Corruption always finds a way.
Report Post »whybother
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 10:08amwell///your first mistake was believing a word that came from the mouth of the biggest offender and liar ever to backroom deal his way to the top.
Report Post »poohbear
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:09amRemember that earmark ban that was all the rage this winter? Apparently it doesn’t mean much to lawmakers.
Report Post »***************************
promises made here; promises made there..I don’t think they even care.
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:16amSomething though tells me that this guy has smoke blowing out from his ears, just a hunch mind you, nothing more than a hunch.
Report Post »lel2007
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:58amI’ve heard our elected officials refereed to a “F‘n Thieving B’tards”. Personally, I think that title is too crude and harsh, and shows little or no respect for our countries leaders. Besides, it is not accurate as most of our elected officials were born of married couples.
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:48amI have to think that he is, at least in part, telling the truth…..because that is the very same thing that Mitch McConnell said when he was against doing away with earmarks.
Report Post »sovahco
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:58amWe did some ‘housecleaning’ here in Virginia last election but we still have more work to do. We defeated Rick Boucher in the 9th and Tom Perriello in the 5th. Boucher’s claim to fame was his work on Cap n Trade. Perriello was one of Pelosi’s most reliable puppets. Northern Virginia is much more liberal than most of us ‘country folk’ out here in the western and southern parts of the state.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:06amAnother example of the Old Boys Bribery network from within the agencies? Or is this particular one of the left just spinning more smoke?
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:10amAn earmark is a Congressperson’s way of rewarding political cronies and buying political support with your money!
Report Post »Earmarks highlight the major difference between capitalism and tyranny – the deployment of capital!
In a capitalistic system, the entrepreneur invests capital with the objective of creating wealth and profit. The tyrant invests capital in pursuit of political advantage. Which do you think is more likely to create wealth and increase our standard of living?
For an in-depth discussion of the evils of the earmarks, read Chapter 10, Earmarks, of the book “21st Century Common Sense” http://commonsense21c.com/
TERMLIMITSNOW
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:11amlet the earmarks be introduced on their on merit, and voted on accordingly, stop hiding them in stacks and stacks of bullstuff legislation
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:21amHow can members of congress admit to collusion/bribery/racketeering and not have calls for prosecution by people in their districts?
Report Post »Sinista Mace
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:30amNothing more than legalized graft.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:31amTERMLIMITSNOW
Report Post »100% agreement. Not all earmarks are bad. There ARE things states need money for and it’s better for the states to have a say in where the money goes than leaving it all up to the exuctive branch. Vote on them in the open and individually, not tucked deep in to an unrelated bill.
HillBillySam1
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:33amIsn’t this a fine example of how the American people cannot trust their own legislators?? They write these bills, it gets signed into law, and the “insiders” are already bypassing the law that they had just passed…..and they wonder why the American people are so angry?!?
I’m sure that the House Ethics Committee will get to the bottom of this…..those Congressman that sit on the Committee sre sure to……uh……hey, wait a minute……….
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:41amIt’s time to start cleaning house! The Republicans (who hopefully aren’t complicit in this practice) on the Appropriation committee need to investigate this admission. I guess the democrats are proud and think this is okay with the American people, that they are above the will of the people, but 2012 is looming and I hope there will be a clean sweep by Conservatives.
Report Post »omni
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:47amMoran’s assessment assumes that individual congressmen only proffer earmarks that are in the “public” interest, BS. Guess he hasn’t noticed the underlying selfishness of most of them:
Report Post »- Lack of proper peer review
- Political payoffs with public money
- Frequent cases of obvious personal gain
Jim is on another ego trip, asserting he and his cronies know what we need and are smart and honest enough to provide it. He personifies the lack of fiscal restraint that is killing us. Remember this pompous a$$ at election time.
lylee
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:49amDid you hear that folks? There is a big battle in Washington over who decides how to spend your money and you are not to be one of those to decide. This is money that should have not been taken from you by the federal government to begin with. It should be returned to you and you should decide how you spend it!
Report Post »LeroyJethroGibbs
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 9:58amThey will just make up the rules as they go. TERM LIMITS !
Report Post »SC Now
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 10:06amMy view is leave the money in the states. We don’t need to send it to DC and let them return what they want and to whom they want. STOP FED TAXES NOW.
Report Post »chubbzbar
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:38amWhy don’t we go back to basics? Most corporations take input from the divisions that carry out a specific service, i.e., how much money does the cafeteria need to run the cafeteria comes from the people running the cafeteria not from the people who sit in the dining room. In other words if the request for the appropriation comes from that agency, they probably have some professional that might know more about the problem than the Congress. There is a very poignant example of this during Katrina. For years the Corps of Engineers had requested money to retrofit the levee that failed in New Orleans. For years the Congressmen and Senators from Louisiana had diverted that money to other projects through the use of earmarks. Their buddies got rich and the people died.
This is also the idiot who in the Nov 2010 election said that his opponent had no public service — of course his opponent had been serving in the military for 20 years.
Report Post »michael48
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:39amtypical ABA method of doing corruption…Lawyers feeding Lawyers with TAX PAYER dollars….under the table…a VERY LARGE TABLE….to many of these TARDS in Gov…..like herding kittens….watch one and the other 20 are drinking the milk….
Report Post »Miguelito
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:43amHas anyone realize that the Dems have an addiction….to spending!
Report Post »Cobra Blue
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:43pmFolks…plzzzz. If you really believe that Washington is going to change the way they do business you are the most gullible. Wise up and face reality….and soon. Denial is a curable disorder, but intervention is necessary to arrest the disease. Otherwise, reality will settle the issue at a point in time. However, reality intervention does not have a 100% survival rate. Your choice.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 1:27pmTaxes pay for things We don’t want….DON”T PAY TAXES!!!
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 1:45pmHe really believes Obama would veto every bill with an earmark? Are you kidding? Obama likes to spend money way too much, especially if he is “rewarding his friends” by spending the money. He probably would veto it if doing so would “punish his enemies”.
Report Post »123gone
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 1:45pmEarmarks are political corruption that needs to be prosecuted, plain and simple!
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 1:49pmbanjarmon, Wesley Snipes and Willie Nelson already tried that. That didn’t work out too well for them.
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 5:22pm“…distributed funds… that is in the best interest of the country …”
Ah! There it is representative! There may not be a problem, or at least it would be far less of a problem, if representatives thought in THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COUNTRY. The trouble is the representatives think in terms of what is best for my constituents or more precisely what is best for a small number of my constituents and by padding that small minority how this will get me re-elected!!!!!!
Report Post »CROSSEDKEYS
Posted on March 5, 2011 at 12:51pmEarmarks may be small in the scheme of things, but I have to believe that most people would accept the hard cuts that are to come if only they could see that we were getting rid of the trivial waste. How can we as a society ask our neighbors to accept a cut in Medicare or social security or Medicaid, when congress continues to spend millions on these foolish pet projects just to get their share into their districts?
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on March 5, 2011 at 2:20pmNo kiddin’? I’m not the least bit surprised that these criminals have it figured out. Good government requires people of integrity and honor to be run responsibly. We already know that isn’t the case and that is why we are in the position we are in.
Criminals are a dime a dozen in politics. That they are bragging about it is infuriating.
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