Earmarks are the name and reform is the game.  Now that members are finally returning for session this week, we thought we might check the status of Congressman Flake and Senator John McCain’s bipartisan legislation (H.R. 1642/ S.1495), which requires that earmarks be included in the actual text of spending bills, rather than the committee or conference reports that accompany bills.

H.R.1642

Title: To prohibit Federal agencies from obligating funds for appropriations earmarks included only in congressional reports, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Flake, Jeff [AZ-6] (introduced 4/14/2005)      Cosponsors (24)

Latest Major Action: 4/14/2005 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. COSPONSORS(24), ALPHABETICAL

      Rep Cardoza, Dennis A. [CA-18] - 5/26/2005

      Rep Case, Ed [HI-2] - 12/16/2005

      Rep Cooper, Jim [TN-5] - 5/12/2005

      Rep Feeney, Tom [FL-24] - 5/18/2005

      Rep Franks, Trent [AZ-2] - 4/27/2005

      Rep Garrett, Scott [NJ-5] - 6/15/2005

      Rep Gutknecht, Gil [MN-1] - 4/14/2005

      Rep Hensarling, Jeb [TX-5] - 4/14/2005

      Rep Hostettler, John N. [IN-8] - 4/14/2005

      Rep Inglis, Bob [SC-4] - 6/7/2005

      Rep Johnson, Sam [TX-3] - 4/14/2005

      Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] - 4/14/2005

      Rep King, Steve [IA-5] - 5/18/2005

      Rep Mack, Connie [FL-14] - 6/15/2005

      Rep Marchant, Kenny [TX-24] - 4/14/2005

      Rep Miller, Jeff [FL-1] - 4/14/2005

      Rep Musgrave, Marilyn N. [CO-4] - 4/27/2005

      Rep Pence, Mike [IN-6] - 4/14/2005

      Rep Pitts, Joseph R. [PA-16] - 6/15/2005

      Rep Price, Tom [GA-6] - 4/21/2005

      Rep Rohrabacher, Dana [CA-46] - 4/14/2005

      Rep Shadegg, John B. [AZ-3] - 5/12/2005

      Rep Tancredo, Thomas G. [CO-6] - 4/14/2005

      Rep Westmoreland, Lynn A. [GA-8] - 4/14/2005

S.1495

Title: A bill to prohibit Federal agencies from obligating funds for appropriations earmarks included only in congressional reports, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen McCain, John [AZ] (introduced 7/26/2005)     

Cosponsors (2)

Latest Major Action: 1/27/2006 Referred to Senate subcommittee. Status: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security. COSPONSORS(2), ALPHABETICAL

Sen Coburn, Tom [OK] - 7/26/2005

Sen Kyl, Jon [AZ] - 1/25/2006

Hmm…only 24 and 2?!  We’ll give the rest of Congress the benefit of the doubt, for now at least.  Like we said; maybe they just haven’t heard about this highly publicized move to cut down on the single most egregious part of the appropriations process; maybe they haven’t read or heard all the commentary the past few weeks on how the unseemly earmarking process has discreetly aided the questionable lobbying practices of late (a la Abramoff); maybe they’ve just been too busy skiing on their winter vacation.

Whatever the reason, we hope it’s just a momentary lapse in congressional action on this issue.  Otherwise, what hope is there of rebirth and renewal for fiscal responsibility?

If you don't see your Congressman or Senator on these lists, give them a call and let them know what's going on.  Somebody has to...it might as well be you.