PUBLIC MARKS with tag demint

Earlier this week, Republican Sens. Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Mike Crapo of Idaho proposed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Resolution that would have created a reserve fund to protect the Social Security surplus.

“The president does not need to wait on Congress to exercise line-item veto power,” said Dr. Coburn. “Under the law, wasteful earmarks that are only listed in conference reports can, and should, be ignored by executive branch agencies. If the president takes this stance, Congress will back down because they will be making an argument they will never win with the public. No rational voter will tolerate Congress holding up appropriations for vital services or national defense priorities so politicians can secure their earmarks and pet projects. I hope the president does not hesitate to use this power that is already at his disposal.”