Fallon Calls for End of Earmarks

From Ed Fallon for Congress:

Ed Fallon today called for abolishing congressional earmarks, challenging incumbent Congressman Leonard Boswell to match his own pledge to refuse earmarks and to work to end the practice. "If Congressman Boswell isn't agreeable to earmark reform, then I believe the public has an interest in hearing a debate between the two of us on the issue," Fallon said.

"Earmarks are the epitome of pork barrel spending, and are an abuse of power, position, and taxpayers' trust," Fallon said. "They allow members to direct spending to their pet projects, often as payback to big donors. Lobbyists spent $160 million to influence Congress in 2006. They got great return on their investment -- $12 billion in earmarks."

Fallon pointed out that his opponent in this race, Rep. Leonard Boswell, is a worse than average offender. In 2007, the average House member who was not a member of the Appropriations Committee obtained $4 million in earmarks. "Despite increased public outrage over earmarks," Fallon said, "Congressman Boswell actually increased his use of earmarks this year, securing earmarks worth $33.1 million, up from $32.3 in the previous budget."

Fallon noted that he has endorsed the Change Congress movement's pledge to abolish earmarks, and that his own pledge is featured on the first page of his campaign website: "I, Ed Fallon, do hereby pledge that I will personally support spending reform in Congress by refusing to seek, support, or enact earmarks during the appropriations process, and will work for the abolition of earmarks."