In The cardinals claim they’re being cut out, a new article in the Hill, there's more talk of a moratorium on earmarks:
Senior Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee claim that Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has left them out of discussions about a moratorium on earmarks, marking a departure from the inclusive leadership style she has employed for much of her reign.
As some appropriators grumbled, Democrats on Tuesday inched closer to an earmark moratorium, a move that would infuriate many appropriators.
“It’s going to happen,” said an irritated Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.), a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. Others were more circumspect.
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.) chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, has been in leadership meetings on earmarks, but on Tuesday would say only, “No final decision has been made.”
“I’ve been consulting with members,” Van Hollen said. “It’s safe to say there’s a difference of opinion.”
Pelosi has discussed suspending earmarks with Reps. David Obey (D-Wis.) and John Murtha (D-Pa.), two of her closest lieutenants and the two most senior members of the Appropriations Committee, but she has otherwise limited talks to an extremely small circle.
Pelosi and Obey have told members they want to call the bluff of Republicans who have called for an earmark ban while pursuing pet projects from the spending panel.
The Hill's
Rep. Tim Walz (Minn.), the outgoing president of the Democratic freshman class, said he would support an earmarks ban if it goes to balancing the budget.
“If it’s done in that sense, and not political theatrics, I’m supportive,” he said. “If we return it to the bureaucracy, which spends it even more irresponsibly than us, then it’s a gimmick.”
This could get very interesting.
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