Jeff Flake: “Ninety-six percent of the earmarks that we passed last year were in conference reports that were just spending…”

“Ninety-six percent of the earmarks that we passed last year were in conference reports that were just spending construction to the agencies. The agencies have very little knowledge that the funding is even there, yes. The problem is, if you want little oversight on your earmark, if you want it to continue without scrutiny, it pays to be vague about your earmark, vague about its goals, vague about any benchmarks that there might be. Because as soon as you spell it out and leave a paper trail, you are subject to an amendment. If you don't, it might be ruled out of order. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake). The amendment was rejected. Amendment Offered by Mr. Flake”