Rep. Flake On Cutting Congressional Pork

Arizona Congressman Is A Fierce Opponent Of Earmarks

(CBS)  Buried in the fine print is $70 billion, give or take a billion or two. It is one subject members of Congress don’t like talking about: earmarks. The $70 billion covers just this year's crop of earmarks. Earmarks designate money for a multitude of hometown projects that may also benefit lobbyists and the industries they represent. Most of them are buried in the fine print of legislation and are seldom debated. Many say they’re one of Congress’s dirty little secrets, that a good part of that $70 billion is pork – government waste at its worst.

As correspondent Morley Safer reports, past examples include the $223 million "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska, which almost got approved, and half a million for a teapot museum in North Carolina, which did.

This story is about one congressman’s mission to end earmarks that has pitted him against the House, in particular against members of his own party.

---

"Everyone bears some blame here but Republicans are going to be blamed disproportionately. And then I have to say we deserve it, because we’ve been in charge," says Rep. Jeff Flake, a conservative Republican from Arizona.

On weekends at his home outside Phoenix, you can find him on the trampoline with his kids. But back in Washington, you’ll find him on the floor of the House, trying to bounce some earmarks out of the federal budget, but with much less success.

"This process of challenging earmarks on the floor is often described as tilting at windmills, so I suppose it is only proper that we start today with an earmark for the wind demonstration project," Flake says on the floor of the House.

Rep. Flake is challenging $6 million for windmills to generate power on military bases, $500,000 for a swimming pool in Banning, Calif., $1 million to promote tourism in Kentucky, $750,000 for a new building at the Los Angeles County Fair, $1.5 million for a William Faulkner Museum in Mississippi. And he challenges a particularly mysterious item: $600,000 for the Center of End of Life Electronics in West Virginia.

It sounds like something that might have something to do with either euthanasia or capital punishment and it was a mystery to the congressman as well: "We had a hard time. We thought it was computers for seniors. It wasn’t. It was basically mining the parts that are still usable out of old computers," Rep. Flake explains.

In essence, the center would recycle parts.

As they work their way through Congress, earmarks are so shrouded in secrecy you often can’t tell who benefits from them, who sponsors them, or why.

"The vast majority of them we have no idea. Sometimes you’ll see a press release when somebody’s taking a victory lap. Some of them don’t want anyone to know ever that they got that earmark, other than the lobbyist that they got it for," Flake tells Safer.

It’s a process the Founding Fathers warned us about from the very beginning.

"Jefferson actually was very prescient about it and said it was gonna be a mad scramble to see who can waste the most money in their state," explains Leslie Paige, who studies the workings of Congress for the non-partisan group Citizens Against Government Waste. For lawmakers, she says, earmarks serve another function: you show me yours, I’ll show you mine.

"You want me to vote for your Medicare bill? What do you want for it? You know? And that actually has happened, where there’s been a lot of log rolling and horse trading to get bills through that they can’t get through any other way," she explains.

On the floor of the House, Jeff Flake has managed to smoke out the authors of a few earmarks. But as you might expect, his efforts have gotten him in trouble with just about everybody.

"Doggone it, I’m not gonna let somebody stand up here in total and complete ignorance and spout off a bunch of gobbledygook," Rep. Curt Weldon fired at his fellow Republican.

Weldon of Pennsylvania let Flake have it for questioning $4 million to help the rotorcraft industry. "Don’t stand up on the floor and make stupid allegations because you want a headline about cutting waste. This is not waste," Weldon argued.

[cnrmtgbkr-2009]

I've am glad that someone in congress is watching the spending. If we could clone Jeff Flake and his principles we "as a nation" would be much better off. This is the no nonsense leadership everyone's been looking for.

[mr_hall_2]

It seems Republican Flake was more likely to approve construction projects in Iraq than to vote for "pork" construction projects in the United States. From a balanced budget to record high debt levels and a rapidly devaluing dollar in a few short years.

To quote John Adams, "Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war."

[b628537-2009]

If there are members within Congress telling Congressman Jeff Flake they tacitly support him, then why haven't they done anything themselves, or do they owe their bodies and souls to the Corporate Lobbiests? What are they afraid of? Or is this an outright admission that our government is subserveant to Corporate meddling in Washington, and we as the taxpayers who foot the bills with the all the riders are nothing more than indentured servants to a Corporate ran Government?

[jessiemarie2]

heres what irates me ...has he ever vsited out town no hes half ways across the us come on my single mother wadge and we shaall she its worth everypenny its a tradition and money raised or asked for or "earmarked" is all used for our comunity! from the weather musium to fixing our streets basicly all the money that is used is for our future kids and education no body doesnt say anything about there bellies being lined by all the steak they eat from thier self proclamed raises but so be it for"phil" to help educate the children ofthe punxsutawney area! shold we see what money is going for his people in his district?? i would love to be on a one to one conversation with this man!

[jessiemarie2]

heres what irates me ...has he ever vsited out town no hes half ways across the us come on my single mother wadge and we shaall she its worth everypenny its a tradition and money raised or asked for or "earmarked" is all used for our comunity! from the weather musium to fixing our streets basicly all the money that is used is for our future kids and education no body doesnt say anything about there bellies being lined by all the steak they eat from thier self proclamed raises but so be it for"phil" to help educate the children ofthe punxsutawney area! shold we see what money is going for his people in his district?? i would love to be on a one to one conversation with this man!

This segment ended by comparing the situation in Congress to the movie, "Groundhog Day." It said, "The more things change, the more they stay the same." Whoever wrote this missed the point of the movie. The fact is, when the main character in Groundhog Day changes himself, everything changes for the better. Comparing Congress to this movie actually brings us hope!

[tlp1964]

Rep. Flake seems to be wanting to do the right thing and gives me some hope that the republicans have "a few good men." If he were in my district, I'd be convinced to vote Rep. for the first time in many years.

[lstaggs-2009]

Isn't this the way we would hope all our congressional representatives would act? Political hacks are all to prevalent in both parties. I say, "Flake for President".

[snhipp]

I didn't realize my deepest concerns; earmarks (pork) were being addressed in Washington by a Congressman, not my congressman but a congressman from Arizona.
Mormans make me a little uneasy, (not sure why)Republicans make me a lot uneasy but for the first time I feel the need to contribute money to a politicians career, Mr. Flakes career. I hope he stays the course and keeps

[drbill001]

Let me get this straight. Rep Flake has no problem spending hundreds of billions of dollars sending soldiers off to die in Iraq, but is opposed to spending money on a much smaller scale in this country. This is considered principled?

[drbill001]

Let me get this straight. Rep Flake has no problem spending hundreds of billions of dollars sending soldiers off to die in Iraq, but is opposed to spending money on a much smaller scale in this country. This is considered principled?

[lcholt]

Hurray-for congressman Flake, Wish there were more men in congress like him. We put men and women in congress, hoping they will do what is best for their country. It seem as if most of them have been bought out by the big corparations lobbist and can not be trusted to do what is best for all.
Too bad he is not running for president.
I would vote for him in a moment notice.

[mgreen48]

Hurray for Congressman Flake, now everyone who hears this story, you need tro write your congressman and tell them to stop this waste of money. While your at it stop the wasted money on the war in Iraq.

[swalker411]

I applaud Jeff Flake for his stand on Congressional "Pork." Is he in touch with either Sen. Tom Coburn (R.,Okla) or Sen. Barack Obama (D.,Ill.)? Because according to Parade Magazine, they are trying to set up a WEB site so the average citizen, such as me, can just key "Halliburton" or any news item, and get all of the data on it, including the costs. "'When we've got deficits and are spending $9 billion a month to fight a war, why is the government taking your tax dollars to build sculpture gardens?'" That's a quote from Parade from Sen. Coburn. AS I said, I applaud ANY & ALL EFFORTS ON FLAKE'S PART TO GET RID OF ALL OF THE CONGRESSIONAL PORK. Thank you, Sarah Walker [e-mail]

[marcelde]

Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) says he wants to stop his House colleagues from showering their political districts with money he feels is misspent. ==

THAT IS A LAUDABLE PURSUIT BUT ONLY IF IT PUTS AT THE TOP OF THE WASTE PILE THE BILLIONS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS THAT THIS LYING ADMINISTRATION HAS WASTED IN IRAQ. ==



IT IS OBSCENE TO MENTION MONEY BEFORE THE LOST LIVES OF OUR SOLDIERS IN IRAQ. BUT MONEY SEEMS TO BE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY OF THIS REPUBLICAN MISADMINISTRATION. ==

You will likely read labels such as Defeatist, or platitudes like Cut and Run. But such postings are transparent propaganda offered because this administration lacks a workable solution to their self made problem. ==

The history lesson Rumsfeld should be learning is the tragic lesson of Vietnam where unpopular "police action" was to stop the "domino effect" of spreading Communism. Those who suggest we "still have not learned history's lessons" ignore 58,249 soldiers that needlessly died there. That war left Vietnam a Communist country, but our trading partner. Those who objected to that war want to Support Our Troops by bringing them home out of harm's way. We need to actively resist mindless leaders who suggest that weapons of mass destruction, never found in Iraq, are the cause of 911, and that every culture is eager to embrace our form of democracy. Our soldiers who are dying in Iraq are another "Inconvenient Truth" just as those in 1970 whose names are engraved on the Vietnam War Memorial.

[riverdale415]

In Murfreesboro, TN Bart Gordon hasn't had a close challenger in 20 years because of the "pork" that he brings in. Example - federal funds for miles of river walk by Stones River. It's nice, but you paid for it.

[riverdale415]

test

[tp0071]

Wow . Congressman Flake has restored my hope for a change in the conduct of our government officials . There is finally someone that everyone should support regardless of party . The old guard in Congress has taken advantage of all taxpayers and it is time for them to be dismissed and replaced by people like Rep. Flake that will actually stand up for the citizens of this great country instead of being more concerned about how much power they can usurp and their personal benefits . Thank you Rep. Flake . I would like to know someone in Iowa that would join your efforts in getting rid of the pork . I would gladly support and like to help them get elected to work with you .

[bmace2]

If you ever move to FL you have my vote. Keep up the good work and don't give up.

[tevining]

The only way that things will change in congress is to make a change at the polls on Tuesday Nov.7th. Congressman Flake appears to be the only one worth keeping. It's time to change the course in Iraq and in the Pork Barrel.

[lestb35]

We need more Jeff Flakes. Lots more. This congress has been disgraceful.

[gademocrat]

I have just finished watching the interview with representative Jeff Flake of Arizona and, I believe, if all of our elected officials to a stand like he has, this country would be a whole lot better off.

In the past I, like so many other Americans, have been so party driven, we've lost sight of what is really important. The welfare of this country.

I am a "black" Viet Nam veteran and, have always considered myself an independant thinker, a farely wise man and, I listen to issues. I believe our politicians have gotten so comfortable in their positions, they say anything to get elected. Dirty tactics mean nothing to most of them. "JUST GET ELECTED!" is their platform.

Democrats, Republicans and anyone else who may be running for office, it's time to stop hustling the American people and, get back to some real issues that can and will benefit the nation.

Mr. Flake, you are my kind of person, from what I heard on 60 Minutes and I could even become a REPUBLICAN, if that's what your party is all about.

[carl10902]

The Congress conduction%u2019s investigations on the many different issues that concern Americans. They say it is required in order to create good legislation and in many cases this is true. But many congressmen abuse this power and they conduct their own investigations for their own personal interest. For some Congressman, it all about having as much power and control over other people and they have all the resources of the United States government to do this. If a Congressman wants to violate the civil liberties of someone by putting that person under a constant surveillance all he or she has to do is get the approval of the President which is easy for a Congressman. He or she can use an earmark and can do it secretively. There needs to be transparency in Congress to ensure that they cannot perform such activities in secret. Many of the things that Congress investigates has nothing to do with national security and does not need to be secret. I will tell you who one such individual is. It%u2019s Congressman John Spratt from South Carolina. He uses his power as a Congressman to investigate people he hates and people he would like to manipulate. Only God has the right to meddle in our private lives, not the church nor the state. Simply voting such people out of office is not sufficient punishment. They must be held accountable, but in many aspects the Congress polices its self. Pass this on because the people need to know and the news media is not telling them.

[capt_nemo1]

Kudos to Jeff Flake!!!! I hate being put in a class, and last election I thought I would take some online test to see just where I stood with this , "belonging to a party thing" and according to them I am just over the border Democrat. After watching Jeff on 60 minutes and seeing a "republican" who has had enough and wants change, well I am so glad to see that, I wish all parties would get outside of themselves and do what is best for the people of the USA. After all without us there would be no them!!!!. Thank you Jeff Flake for being real, and asking questions and demanding accountability!!!!

[hartfischer]

Thank you, Representative Flake. As a California Republican, I keep supporting Arizonians like John McCain and you. I wish my CA Congress man would follow your example. Instead he listed in his last mailing how many wastefull tax dollars he was able to get to my little city. I would love to have my city stop asking for and accepting it. I need to bring it up at city council. Sincerely, Hart Fischer

[hartfischer]

Thank you, Representative Flake. As a California Republican, I keep supporting Arizonians like John McCain and you. I wish my CA Congress man would follow your example. Instead he listed in his last mailing how many wastefull tax dollars he was able to get to my little city. I would love to have my city stop asking for and accepting it. I need to bring it up at city council. Sincerely, Hart Fischer

[danker4]

I am not a fan of the Repblican party and have not known of a true Republican since Abraham Lincoln, but one such as Senator Flake could almost make me change my opinion. Almost. Too bad there are not more members of the Senate with integrity, scruples and a knowledge of what is right and what is expedient or profitable. Why do we always go for the lowest denominator in our public servants. They make a good argument for term limits.

[danker4]

I am not a fan of the Repblican party and have not known of a true Republican since Abraham Lincoln, but one such as Senator Flake could almost make me change my opinion. Almost. Too bad there are not more members of the Senate with integrity, scruples and a knowledge of what is right and what is expedient or profitable. Why do we always go for the lowest denominator in our public servants. They make a good argument for term limits.

[retired15]

Thank you Representative Flake! I would be proud to have you as my Congressman.

What can I do?

[rasandoval1]

"The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest" Thomas Jefferson

Thank You Cong.Flake, I am Democratic, and am happy to see that someone is willing to stick thier neck out for doing the right thing. I hope the others are taking notice. Please don't give up the battle.

[bellal-2009]

Jeff Flake, America needs you. Now more than ever.

[trautgug]

Keep up the good work. Your voice is being heard and that counts.

[tagore01]

When did greed and dishonesty become the accepted way in politics, everytime we the voters cast a ballot and say "oh well, they are all the same", "It's always been that way and always will". We are just as guilty as the one initiating that wrong act, for we do not stand and call them to task, we do not stand and say that is not right and I will not be a partner to this by silence. We do have a powerful tool in the ballot and by writing and E-mailing and speaking out. Apathy is what the greedy and dishonest are counting on. Do not be lead like a sheep to the slaughter and then say someone should really do something about this.

[sanantontx]

If our leaders really wanted to cut out the pork, or line-item vetos, they could have done it years ago. It's refreshing, and encouraging, to know there is actually at least 1 person out that who actually has convictions and is willing to stand up to their own party and do what is right for Americans, not special interest groups or return favors to friends. Please continue to fight for what is right. I hope others join your efforts.

[snowbrd7]

YES!!!!!

[futurepower-2009]

It's wonderful to have an example of a government leader wanting to do things right. I linked to this CBS story in my article on U.S. government corruption:
George W. Bush comedy and tragedy
http://futurepower.org/Bush_Comedy_and_Tragedy.html

[canadiansr71]

Thank you for what you are doing and trying to do. What can I do to help?

[marcelde]

Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) says he wants to stop his House colleagues from showering their political districts with money he feels is misspent. ==

THAT IS A LAUDABLE PURSUIT BUT ONLY IF IT PUTS AT THE TOP OF THE WASTE PILE THE BILLIONS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS THAT THIS LYING ADMINISTRATION HAS WASTED IN IRAQ. ==



IT IS OBSCENE TO MENTION MONEY BEFORE THE LOST LIVES OF OUR SOLDIERS IN IRAQ. BUT MONEY SPENT ON IRAQ SEEMS TO BE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY OF THIS REPUBLICAN MISADMINISTRATION. ==


The history lesson Rumsfeld should be learning is the tragic lesson of Vietnam where unpopular "police action" was to stop the "domino effect" of spreading Communism. Those who suggest we "still have not learned history's lessons" ignore 58,249 soldiers that needlessly died there. That war left Vietnam a Communist country, but our trading partner. Those who objected to that war want to Support Our Troops by bringing them home out of harm's way. We need to actively resist mindless leaders who suggest that weapons of mass destruction, never found in Iraq, are the cause of 911, and that every culture is eager to embrace our form of democracy. Our soldiers who are dying in Iraq are another "Inconvenient Truth" just as those in 1970 whose names are engraved on the Vietnam War Memorial.

[cpala1975]

Jeff Flake is a statesman. Everyone else is a politician!
Would that there were a majority like him.

[bluestardad]

Be Ever Vigilant. Bush and Rove will do anything to stay in power up to an including flooding key districts with fake absentee ballots tampering with electronic voting machines, and bussing in voters who are not from the districts to vote, or even starting another war with and suspending civil liberties postponing the mid term vote. There is a great possibility for this administration to tamper with the electronic voting machines to the point that very subtle differences will take place in Key races just enough to tip the vote in their favor but not enough to cause a full scale American Revolution leaving some doubt, but just enough to throw key races in the Republican Favor. Watch out for this election coup.

[bluestardad]

snflwr4real WHAT ARE YOU SAYING? DO YOU NEED THERAPY? I TRIED TO READ WHAT YOU ARE SAYING BUT CANNOT FOLLOW YOUR LOGIC?

[phelderle]

Please keep rerunning this report and do more like this. People like me seem to no longer have the voice to vote for influence. It is programs like yours that can bring back our voice over the over-riding voice of the lobbyists.

I like the fact that the other show keeps running new pedifile reports where pedifiles keep coming to a house where a sting operation has been set up. This program needs to go national. And maybe by running new programs on this subject every month they will jump start local police organizations to start similiar programs in their own neighborhoods.

Earmarks are a disgraceful shame. And shame on those congressman for attacking this congressman and for not acknowledging that it is a problem. I understand they are working within the existing system but dang it folks, this system encourages wasteful spending. If any money is going to be wasted the decision should be made at the state level where there might be a greater degree of control and voter input. At the very least all congressman should be required to put their names next to any earmark before it is attached to a bill. Though I think earmark should not be allowed to be attached to bills like they are. They should be voted on separately. This I'll vote for your earmark if you vote for my earmark game should end.

So 60 minutes keep airing that program and I will rewatch it everytime to show my support for such a change.

[marcelde]

Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) says he wants to stop his House colleagues from showering their political districts with money he feels is misspent. ==

THAT IS A LAUDABLE PURSUIT BUT ONLY IF IT PUTS AT THE TOP OF THE WASTE PILE THE BILLIONS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS THAT THIS LYING ADMINISTRATION HAS WASTED IN IRAQ. ==



IT IS OBSCENE TO MENTION MONEY BEFORE THE LOST LIVES OF OUR SOLDIERS IN IRAQ. BUT MONEY SPENT ON IRAQ SEEMS TO BE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY OF THIS REPUBLICAN MISADMINISTRATION. ==


The history lesson Rumsfeld should be learning is the tragic lesson of Vietnam where unpopular "police action" was to stop the "domino effect" of spreading Communism. Those who suggest we "still have not learned history's lessons" ignore 58,249 soldiers that needlessly died there. That war left Vietnam a Communist country, but our trading partner. Those who objected to that war want to Support Our Troops by bringing them home out of harm's way. We need to actively resist mindless leaders who suggest that weapons of mass destruction, never found in Iraq, are the cause of 911, and that every culture is eager to embrace our form of democracy. Our soldiers who are dying in Iraq are another "Inconvenient Truth" just as those in 1970 whose names are engraved on the Vietnam War Memorial.

[rharrin1]

I am wondering how Flake feels about our legislators are only going to be in session about 100 days this last year.
These people think we send them there for a vacation,they voted down the minimum wage but they gave themselves a raise.
We the people need to put controls on them, the reason all this pork goes through is because they aren't there enough to separate things to be voted on should be voting on one thing at a time need to make them be there 200 days

[lwsutton]

Until you stop the repeating postings of nitwits like "snflwr4real" no one is going to take this forum or CBS seriously.

Every taxpayer should call every congressman they have and demand to know why they are not supporting Jeff Flake and then hold them responsible by the best term limit initiative ever "voting".

It is time to rid this country of the scallywags and immoral hypocrits that are running this country hiding behind the mask of a congressman.

[bellal-2009]

How do we clone him?

[bellal-2009]

lwsutton, exactly right. The lazy, good-for-nothing, spendtrhrifts are a disgrace.

[jrlamm]

What a disgrace! There is a total lack of ethics, honesty, and humility in Washington DC. There needs to be more representatives like Jeff Flake.

Why is only one man standing up to disclaim that "earmarks" are morally and ethically wrong?

Listen to this statement: "As they work their way through Congress, earmarks are so shrouded in secrecy you often can%u2019t tell who benefits from them, who sponsors them, or why." What does this tells us about our leaders? Morally bankrupt that's what is says.

First, there must be a mandate that every piece of legislation identifies the specific sponsor of each and every provision. That means every special clause, paragraph or section etc. requires a congressman's name be afixed to that particlular item.

It's time to stop the waste and corruption. YES CORRUPTION. If you are not willing to put your name on the line and instead accepted the twisted logic that exists to self justify your actions, then you are morally corrupt.

Vote'em out.

[lukvthdra]

Mr. Flake is well named. You call "pork%u201D: major renovations to a community marketplace in a poor neighborhood, figuring out how to recycle computer parts which now end up choking landfills, wind power for the military instead of oil, and museums? Any museum is better than any new fangled gun. The real "pork" is properly processed fat sausage and packaged through really well paid lobbyists and they make missiles and landmines and just egged us into a trillion dollar war. Bravo the little snips of bacon that slip through because from your 60 Minutes report, the bridge to nowhere excepted, they seem to be accurately doing what tax dollars should: making taxpayers%u2019 communities better places to live. I am not crazy about %u201Cearmarks%u201D as a formal process but the normal channels have clearly clogged arteries. Matter of fact the Congressman could join the Cornflakes who treat topsoil like dirt and used their lobby to give us ridiculous ethanol instead of solar power.

JSB

[rharrin1]

STAY THE COURSE

STAY THE COURSE

STAY THE COURSE