Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senator Rand Paul and U.S. Senator Rick Scott have come together to introduce a resolution in the U.S. Senate condemning Congress' excessive use of earmarks. Senator Paul and Senator Scott were supported in their efforts by several other senators who share their concerns about reckless government spending.

Senator Rand Paul expressed his strong stance against the current state of affairs, stating, “Washington has a spending problem and forcing the taxpayers to pay for over $12 billion worth of earmarks is no way to return to a path of fiscal sanity. We must put a stop to government waste and return to being good stewards of American tax dollars.”

Senator Rick Scott echoed these sentiments, criticizing earmarks as a corrupt and wasteful practice. He emphasized, "Earmarks are Washington’s corrupt way to recklessly spend taxpayer money with zero scrutiny and must be stopped. While the federal government’s debt nears $35 trillion and inflation has skyrocketed 18% under Joe Biden, the minibus spending bill has more than 6,600 projects that will cost taxpayers $12 BILLION."

Other senators also voiced their concerns about the detrimental effects of earmarks. Senator Ron Johnson warned, “Earmarks are the gateway drug to more massive deficit spending,” while Senator Marsha Blackburn denounced earmarks as a tool used by the Washington swamp to push lobbyist agendas.

Senator Mike Lee emphasized the importance of ending the practice of earmarks, stating, “Earmarks corrupt government processes, eroding the trust between the governed and those entrusted to govern. The American people have made it abundantly clear: they have no appetite for such wasteful spending.”

Senator Steve Daines added his perspective, calling earmarks "slimy backroom deals that make lobbyists rich on the taxpayer’s dime" and urging Washington to reject such practices.

The resolution introduced by Senators Paul and Scott aims to address the issue of earmarks and advocate for responsible fiscal management. It has garnered support from various senators who are committed to eliminating wasteful government spending.

The full text of the resolution can be accessed on Senator Rand Paul's official website.