The Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting that U.S. Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) will voluntarily stop requesting new earmarks.  In a major victory for fiscal restraint, Rep. Price will join the growing bipartisan ranks of legislators who have seen the damage that earmarks have done to their reputations and the federal budget.
 
Although the Congressman has repeated spoken out against the practice, he has continued to request funding for projects in his district.  “For me to have credibility in leading on this issue, I must at this point say I will no longer request any new earmarks.” Price said.  Price went on to say, “I believe the system is corrupt and it has to be changed.  This was a while in coming and it [is] time to stand up or leave.”
 
Prominent Members Committed to Earmark Reform
Senators: John McCain (R-AZ), Jim DeMint (R-SC), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Claire McCaskill (D-MO)                                   
 
Congressmen: Jeff Flake (R-AZ), John Boehner (R-OH), John Kline (R-MN), Tom Price (R-GA)
 
We are thrilled to see another Member of Congress join the fight against wasteful spending and look forward to working with Rep. Price in the future.

Well, Sen Coburn and Rep Jeff Flake's influence is growing.  More and more legislators are waking up to the fact that their constituents don't want them to bring home the bacon (pork projects) anymore.  They instead want them to do the right thing for all Americans and show a little fiscal constraint.  Pretty soon we'll have Oklahoma's legislators on that list.  At least we can hope...

-Stuart Jolly