Press Releases

Franks Calls Earmark Moratorium One Crucial Step in the Right Direction of True Reform

Following the House Republican Conference's decision to enact a one-year moratorium on all earmarks, Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) released the following statement: 

"Yesterday's decision to impose a one-year moratorium on Congressional earmarks was a necessary step toward finally enacting crucial and permanent reform that would force Congress stop its reckless, unsustainable spending. 

"While I firmly believe in the structure of our government clearly outlined in the U.S. Constitution, in which Congress is responsible for creating and maintaining the federal budget, I also firmly believe that the seemingly innumerable budget requests that have for so long plagued our system create an atmosphere that fosters political corruption. 

"I supported this initiative because it is critically important that we not only rein in spending on superfluous projects, but that we also mitigate the incentive to spend more money based on the effort to curry political favor with earmark recipients. 

"Ultimately, my hope is that Members of Congress see this moratorium as an opportunity and a mandate to finally enact a principled, truly transparent authorization and appropriations process  that accurately reflects both the Constitution and the integrity of the greatest nation in history." 

Congressman Franks is serving his fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives and is a member of the Judiciary Committee, where he serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and a member of the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law. He is also a member of the Armed Services Committee, where he serves on the Strategic Forces Subcommittee and the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities.

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