Congressman Paul Broun recently announced that he will not request earmarked spending for projects to be included in this year's budget or appropriations bills. In addition, Congressman Broun supports the House Republican Leadership's call for an immediate moratorium to be placed on earmarked spending until significant reforms to the process are put in place. Today's announcement reaffirms Congressman Broun's strong belief that the Congress should act as careful stewards of taxpayer money.

"Spending in Washington is out of control," said Broun. "Republicans lost control in the 2006 elections because voters were disgusted by career politicians trading their principles for pork. Sadly, this lesson has been lost on the House Democratic Leadership. On their watch over 11,000 earmarks, spending over $15 billion, were inserted in spending bills last year. Enough is enough. Today, I announce that I join with the Leadership of my party in announcing that I will not request pork-barrel, earmarked spending in this year's budget or appropriations legislation. I also join in calling for the Democratic Leadership to immediately reform the earmark process to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely, prudently, and cost-effectively."

Congressman Broun is working to persuade other House colleagues to follow his lead and voluntarily withhold requests for earmarks until meaningful reforms to a system that has become corrupt have been achieved. Among the reforms Congressman Broun believes should be immediately adopted include:

..No more "monuments to me." Lawmakers should not use taxpayer money to fund projects named after themselves.

..No more "airdrops." The process by which Congress spends the American people's money should be completely transparent. Members of Congress should not circumvent transparency by airdropping earmarks into bills in conference at the last minute.

.. No more "fronts" or "passthrough" entities. Taxpayer funds should not be laundered through "front" operations that mask their true recipients.

..Members of Congress who request earmarks should put forth a plan detailing exactly how the money will be spent and why they believe the use of taxpayer funding is justified. Members of Congress who "secure" earmarks should place these plans in the Congressional Record well in advance of floor votes on those earmarks.

..To improve accountability, Members of Congress should require outside earmark recipients to put up "matching funds" where applicable so that American taxpayers do not bear all the risk for such expenditures.

..The Executive Branch should be held accountable for its own earmark practices. The Executive Branch asks for earmarks, too, and has done so under administrations Democratic and Republican alike. Members of Congress should hold present and future Administrations accountable for the way in which taxpayer-funded earmarks are used.