[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 11, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H3149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ECONOMIC ENGINE DOESN'T RUN ON PORK

  (Mr. BROUN of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, hardworking Americans are the 
economic engine that drives this great Nation. And America's economic 
engine doesn't run on pork.
  Even though we are in a recession, Congress continues to take hard-
earned tax dollars and send them toward pork projects like tattoo 
removal, Mormon crickets, and studying pig manure. In fact, the omnibus 
bill sent to the White House last night contains nearly 8,000 earmarks, 
costing taxpayers more than $11 billion.
  Monday night I had a telephone town hall with my constituents back 
home in Georgia. One caller, Mr. John Ahern from Athens, hit the nail 
on the head with his question on spending: ``Why aren't politicians 
held accountable like families and taxpayers?''
  Why indeed? There are Members on both sides of the aisle that are so 
used to the spending of yesterday that they cannot bear the thought of 
tightening their belts today. How are we going to justify picking the 
pockets of taxpayers to literally pay for pig poop?
  This bill spends too much, taxes too much, and borrows too much. I 
urge a veto of the ominous omnibus bill and its 8,000 earmarks. There 
are John Aherns all over this country who demand accountability in 
government. A veto would give it to them.

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