Obey shines light on earmarking process, but GOP labels move a hollow gesture

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/obey-shines-light-on-earmarking-process-but-goplabels-move-a-hollow-gesture-2007-06-12.html

Obey shines light on earmarking process, but GOP labels move a hollow gesture
By Mike Soraghan and Jackie Kucinich
June 12, 2007

House Appropriations Chairman Dave Obey (D-Wis.) yesterday opened the earmarking process to public scrutiny after taking a drubbing over plans to keep member projects under wraps until bills have passed both chambers.

“I don’t know how you could be more open,” Obey said. “This is real review rather than some ‘let’s pretend’ phony review.”

Dissatisfied Republicans said they would go forward with plans to gum up the legislative works to protest Democratic secrecy on earmarks. They called Obey’s plan a hollow gesture since it will not allow them to challenge individual earmarks in floor votes.

snip//

Today, Republicans plan to start procedural sabotage. They plan to offer amendments to highlight ongoing earmarks from years past they deem wasteful, such as $1.3 million across three years to study razor burn. They will force each amendment to be read in its entirety.
They’ve also considered filing a “discharge petition” to force a vote on the Republican earmark reform legislation that was adopted in the 109th Congress, allowing votes on individual earmarks.

[fooj]

1. Everything is a "hollow gesture" with these thugs.

I'm sick of this Dem/Repub shit. How about we ALL start behaving as Americans?

[Gman]

2. Obey should just tell them

the Republics have done enough obstructing and he's not going to give them more tools to be even more obstructive. Be up front about it. There's nothing to hide here.

[Supersedeas]

4. odd, there is no outrage from Corp Media at the obstructionist Congress when Repigs are obstructing

[robcon]

3. Obey's actions are anything but "shining light" on earmarks

He keeps them hidden until AFTER the votes, and only shows them in conference while the bill is finalized, so no one knows about them. Obey's as bad as DeLay, IMO.