Senate Republicans ban earmarks--urge Dems to do same

The Tea Party is already celebrating in Washington. The Senate Republicans have passed a resolution to ban earmark spending. The Democrats, who lost six seats in the upper chamber on Election Day--are defending this type of spending.

On the local side of thing. Senator-elect Mark Kirk (R-IL) applauded the move:

WASHINGTON – Senator-Elect Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today released the following statement regarding his vote to support a Senate Republican Conference earmark moratorium:

"During our campaign for Senate, I pledged to oppose wasteful spending in Washington, starting with our broken earmark system. Today, we make good on that pledge. While many Congressional funding requests are worthwhile, some do not pass the laugh test. We need serious reforms to ensure the integrity of federal funding. Taxpayers deserve no less. I urge our Democratic colleagues to heed the call of the American people and join our effort to cut wasteful earmark spending."

In 2008, Senator-Elect Kirk became the first member of the House Appropriations Committee to swear off earmarks. He previously offered amendments in the House to cancel funding for the infamous 'Bridge to Nowhere.'

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