GOP Renews Earmark Moratorium; Toomey, McCaskill Want More Permanent Fix

Congressional Republicans have renewed a moratorium on earmarks for the 113th Congress.

In the upper chamber, Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) offered the rule Friday to prohibit earmarks during a caucus organizational meeting.

Toomey has also worked with Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) to establish a permanent ban on earmarks.

“The earmarking system wastes taxpayer dollars, creates the appearance of corruption, and undermines public confidence in the legislative process,” Sen. Toomey said. “The adoption of this rule by the Senate Republican caucus is an important step forward in reforming the way we do business in Washington, saving taxpayer money and restoring public trust in our government. I am proud of my colleagues for adopting this important ban and urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to do the same.”

The House did just that, with Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) describing an earmark ban as a “critical step to restore public trust.”

“This earmark ban shows the American people we are listening, and we are dead serious about ending business as usual in Washington,” said Boehner.

Congress didn’t abide by its promises too well in the 112th Congress, though, which prompted Toomey and McCaskill to renew their push for a permanent ban on the line-item spending measures.