Corker Reaffirms Support for Congressional Earmark Ban

U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) this week joined a bipartisan group of members of Congress in calling on the Senate and House of Representatives leadership to continue the moratorium on congressional earmarking.

“I fully support the continued moratorium on congressional earmarks, and believe members of Congress are more than able to represent the priorities of their state through the federal budget process and without earmarks,” said Corker.

Senator Corker has voted on several occasions to impose a full Congress-wide moratorium on earmarking.

Full text of the letter to the Senate and House of Representatives Leadership is below:

More than three years ago, members of Congress in both chambers from both parties stood together to impose a moratorium on the practice of congressional earmarking.

The American people celebrated this bipartisan leadership.  But, recently, we have noted that members on both sides of the aisle are calling for a return to earmarking.  We believe this would be unwise and would further damage Congress’ reputation and ability to tackle the nation’s challenges.

We recognize there are a wide range of views on this subject in our caucuses but we believe it is important to reaffirm our support for this policy.  Congress has ample flexibility to exercise its power of the purse and represent the interests of our constituents without using earmarks.  For instance, the appropriations process under regular order and our oversight authority gives members ample opportunity to set priorities and vet decisions with their elected peers.

We therefore urge you to pledge your continued support for the earmark moratorium and do everything in your power to work together to address the nation’s highest priorities without the unhelpful distraction of earmarks.