Doling out congressional favors
Reform stalls as tariff loopholes return to the House
By David A. Fahrenthold, WashPost, Updated: Tuesday, July 3, 1:01 PM
Back in 2010, House Republicans made a bold promise. To show they were serious about reform, they would deny themselves two well-used — but frequently misused — tools of congressional power.
In short, they would stop doing expensive favors for the folks back home with taxpayer dollars.
The House GOP banned “earmarks,” which allow a legislator to dole out taxpayer money for hometown projects. They also banned a lesser-known kind of favor, which allowed a congressman to give a local company a break on its federal tariff payments.
But now, 19 months later, dozens of Republicans have decided they went too far. They want to bring one kind of favor back.
Led by a powerful committee chairman, GOP legislators have joined Democrats in proposing hundreds of those small tariff breaks. Legislators say each would be a mini-boost to the economy: Companies could save up to $500,000.
(More here.)
Back in 2010, House Republicans made a bold promise. To show they were serious about reform, they would deny themselves two well-used — but frequently misused — tools of congressional power.
In short, they would stop doing expensive favors for the folks back home with taxpayer dollars.
The House GOP banned “earmarks,” which allow a legislator to dole out taxpayer money for hometown projects. They also banned a lesser-known kind of favor, which allowed a congressman to give a local company a break on its federal tariff payments.
But now, 19 months later, dozens of Republicans have decided they went too far. They want to bring one kind of favor back.
Led by a powerful committee chairman, GOP legislators have joined Democrats in proposing hundreds of those small tariff breaks. Legislators say each would be a mini-boost to the economy: Companies could save up to $500,000.
(More here.)
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