[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 117 (Tuesday, September 19, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    PROVIDING FOR EARMARKING REFORM IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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                               speech of

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2006

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this sham 
legislation and call on this Congress to pass serious reform 
legislation to clean up the corruption in the People's House.
  The culture of corruption under the current Republican Majority is a 
stain on the honor of everyone who serves this institution. The former 
Republican Majority Leader has been indicted, one former Republican 
Member of the Appropriations Committee is serving a lengthy Federal 
prison term, and just this morning we learned that a former powerful 
Republican Committee Chairman has agreed to plead guilty to criminal 
charges. And throughout the current l09th Congress, the Republican 
Leadership has shut down the Ethics Committee that has responsibility 
for maintaining the integrity of the U.S. House.
  I support full disclosure of all Member-directed appropriations to 
shine a light on the process and ensure any special interest provisions 
can pass muster of public scrutiny. It is well past time for Congress 
to pass serious lobbying reform to clean up this institution.
  Unfortunately, House Resolution 1000, the so-called Earmark Reform 
Act is a fraud. It would do nothing to expose the Alaskan ``Bridge to 
Nowhere'' because it does not apply to authorization bills. And on 
appropriations bills, this proposal sets up a huge loophole because it 
does not apply to what is known as the Manager's Amendment. This 
omission simply sets up a new conduit for the Republicans' earmark 
excesses.
  Mr. Speaker, I regret the Republican party bosses refuse to bring 
legislation to clean up the corruption in Congress, and I urge my 
colleagues to join me in voting against this scam legislation.

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