James Comer: “I want to conclude my remarks with mentioning an issue that will be debated by my colleagues over the next few days. I…”

“I want to conclude my remarks with mentioning an issue that will be debated by my colleagues over the next few days. I want to make clear to the people I represent, not just in the First Congressional District but the entire State of Kentucky and America, for that matter, where I stand on this issue, and that is the issue of earmarks and whether or not to end the ban on congressional earmarks. I am opposed to that for many reasons. First of all, I have learned this over the 4 years I have served in Congress: Congress is not a democratic place, especially when it comes to money. We are going to have a debate--and it is going to be in the press--about whether or not to bring back earmarks. But, in fact, there have always been earmarks. This last COVID bill had earmarks in there for Speaker Pelosi. The CARES Act had earmarks for legislative leaders on both sides, Democrats and Republicans. Bringing back earmarks will only give certain people the ability to spend more money at the expense of a majority of Members, and I can't believe that Republicans would put a whole lot of consideration into supporting the bringing back of congressional earmarks. Another reason why I oppose earmarks is common sense. We have to get serious about deficit spending. We are $28 trillion in Federal debt. Congress has to set the example. And the example is standing up and saying that we are going to do more earmarks, bring earmarks back, bring back pork? More pork?…”