Senator Coburn reveals earmarks
Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn is a known crusader against wasteful, secret, and pork-barrel spending and earmarks. He did the nation a favor this week when he posted an Omnibus Highlights and Numbers section on his website.
Interesting facts about this legislation:
Total Spending in the Omnibus:
According to CBO, the omnibus will cost $410 billion, $32 billion (8.4%) more than FY 2008 spending. The legislation is 1,128 pages long. Each page is equal to $363 million in spending.Excluding emergency appropriations, the bill is:
• $19 billion (4.9%) more than President Bush’s request
• $19 billion (4.9% more than the cost of extending the continuing resolution
• $32 billion (8.4%) more than last yearEarmarks:
Total omnibus earmarks: 8,570
Total cost: $7.7 billionThe three previously enacted FY 2009 spending bills included a total of 2,321 earmarks, costing $6.6 billion.
Total FY 2009 earmarks: 10,891
Total FY 2009 earmark spending: $14.3 billion
Good grief.
H/T: Oklahoma Center for Public Affairs- compiled list of earmarks
Also… as a plug for our friends at American Majority, Senator Coburn is the keynote speaker at a special dinner on March 27th. I hope you will join me in supporting American Majority’s mission of recruiting activists that believe in fiscal restraint. Sen. Coburn could use some back-up!
Go, tom, Go !!! We’ve got your back.
John Burge
Pensacola, FL
I appreciate your steady hand. I remain undecided on a GOP Presidential canidate but am very aware that we need a veto proof Senate to accomplish the critical task of reversing the Socialist direction.
I am concerned that our politicians consider themselves the elite and look at the Treasury as their personal play pen. The common response to anyone who challenges wasteful spending is…”its no big deal and only a very small fraction of the overall budget.” I like Rick Perry’s 1/2 time Congress idea.
Steve and Jean Carson – Illinois
Tea Party advocates