On the recordDecember 1, 2010
Earmarks represent the culture of spending that has led to record deficits and debts that are literally costing us our future. We've got to change that culture, and we've got to start right now. Today, we can save the American taxpayer as much as $16.5 billion. That money can go to pay down some of the debt we've accrued against our children's future. That's why I made the decision last year to forgo earmarks. It wasn't an easy decision, but it was the right one. That's why President Obama and Montana's Democrat Governor have also thrown their support behind eliminating earmarks. But earmarks are just the beginning. We also need to balance the budget and seriously cut spending across the board. If Congress doesn't have the courage to cut earmarks, how can we hope to tackle the bigger problems later?
