[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 4, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H2933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           BUSINESS AS USUAL

  (Mr. FLAKE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, later this week President Obama is expected 
to sign the omnibus spending bill into law. That bill contains nearly 
9,000 earmarks. Now, this is unfortunate. It sends a signal that we 
have ushered in a new era of absolutely the same, business as usual.
  I would encourage the President, if he is going to sign the omnibus 
bill, to at least announce a change moving forward. He could announce, 
for example, that he will not sign legislation in the future that 
contains congressionally directed no-bid contracts to private 
companies.
  He should encourage the Congress to end the appearance of pay-to-play 
when no-bid contracts are given to those who give us campaign 
contributions. Giving no-bid contracts to our campaign donors should be 
beneath the dignity of this House. Now our leadership, both on the 
Republican and the Democratic side, has not recognized this yet, but I 
hope that the President does.

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