McConnell says banning 'earmarks' is complicated
November 7, 2010 - 11:24am
WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell says banning pork-barrel projects known as "earmarks" from congressional legislation is more complicated than it appears but that he is willing to consider such a ban.
McConnell says that ending the common practice of slipping funding requests for home-state projects into legislation won't cut spending. A ban on earmarks will only limit the discretion of where to spend the vast federal budget and not curb spending.
Republican Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina has said he wants to ban all lawmakers' requests for specific spending. President Barack Obama has backed that idea.
McConnell says Republicans are ready to cut federal spending but says banning earmarks is not a realistic way to do that.
McConnell spoke Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation."
McConnell says that ending the common practice of slipping funding requests for home-state projects into legislation won't cut spending. A ban on earmarks will only limit the discretion of where to spend the vast federal budget and not curb spending.
Republican Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina has said he wants to ban all lawmakers' requests for specific spending. President Barack Obama has backed that idea.
McConnell says Republicans are ready to cut federal spending but says banning earmarks is not a realistic way to do that.
McConnell spoke Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation."
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