| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: Politix |
| LaHood Sponsored Millions in Earmarks |
| 2009-01-15 |
| The former Republican congressman chosen by President-elect Barack Obama to direct billions in federal highway spending has been an unapologetic advocate of earmarks, a practice Obama now opposes, and has used his influence to win funding for projects pushed by some of his largest campaign contributors. Ray LaHood, who represented Illinois in the House for seven terms, sponsored $60 million in earmarks last year, steering at least $9 million in federal money to campaign donors, a Washington Post analysis shows. An opponent of earmark reform efforts in Congress, LaHood ranks roughly among the top 10 percent in the House for sponsoring earmarks in 2008, according to a watchdog group. LaHood's record poses an important question as hearings begin today that will explore how he would administer part of a $775 billion stimulus package that will be directed to the Transportation Department. LaHood has defended his use of earmarks as a way to direct federal money to decaying communities in his district and insisted there is no connection between his earmarks and projects benefiting campaign donors. Obama has pledged to resist pressure from local interests and to block unjustified earmarks from inclusion in the stimulus bill. "We're not having earmarks in the recovery package, period," he said Jan. 7. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 The pigs are lining up at the trough. |
| Posted by: Spot 2009-01-15 10:07 |
| #1 Write your senators, dammit! |
| Posted by: mom 2009-01-15 00:39 |