Doug Bandow

The Campaign for Jeff Flake

So far the congressional Republicans have been a sad disappointment.  Well, not exactly a disappointment, since they are behaving as one would expect.  But having destroyed whatever reputation they once had for being fiscal conservatives, the GOP in Congress continues its wastral ways.

If they really want to repent of their sinful ways, the House Republican leadership should put Arizona’s Jeff Flake on the Appropriations Committee.  There’s a vacancy, and Flake is one of Congress’ most serious critics of wasteful spending, including earmarks.

Writes Amanda Carpenter:

Conservatives are demanding that House Minority Leader John Boehner fill an empty slot on the House Appropriations Committee with a fiscal hawk rather than the National Republican Congressional Committee chairman who could use the position to hand out earmarks for political gain.

“House Leadership has said they are serious about earmark reform, said they are serious about cutting the pork and abuse; it’s time to put up or shut up and put Rep. Jeff Flake (R.-Ariz) on the committee,” said Erick Erickson, editor of RedState.com

When the House returns next week, Republican leadership must fill the vacant seat left on the appropriations committee left by Rep. Roger Wicker (R.-Miss) who was appointed to fill Trent Lott’s (R.-Miss.) Senate seat. According to January 7 Politico story, Boehner is likely to choose RSCC Chairman Rep. Tom Cole (R.-Okla.) to fill the position. “Cole argues the appropriations seat would help him raise money for the cash-strapped NRCC,” reported Patrick O’Conner.

The Club for Growth’s Director of Government Affairs Andy Roth said this strategy would backfire. “If they take a pass at Flake, then the base’s frustration will only continue. That means closed wallets and fewer voters come Election Day,” Roth said.

Flake has been the House’s most vocal critic against earmarks, often challenging pet projects on the floor late into the night to shame the members. Each week his office issues an “Egregrious Earmark of the Week” press release. The most recent, sent out on January 4, highlights a line-item for “dairy farm profitability in Pennsylvania” tucked into the Omnibus appropriations bill that will cost taxpayers $375,000.

This issue matters to all Americans and not just Republicans.  And the public can weigh in, letting Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio and Minority Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri know that is tired of Congress letting the foxes watch the henhouse, so to speak.