Source:
The HillIn an unusual move, Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) is surveying Republican House members on whether they support a temporary moratorium on earmarks or whether they will continue to submit earmark requests for fiscal 2009.
The survey appears to be challenging GOP members who support an earmark moratorium to practice what they preach and not seek earmarks.
In a March 5 “Dear Colleague” letter , Obey wrote, “In light of the continuing discussion in the Republican Conference, the Appropriations Committee needs to determine how it would proceed.”
The letter asks members to check one of two boxes indicating whether they will be submitting earmark requests in 2009.
The first box reads: “I believe the House should suspend earmarks for the year. Consistent with this position, I will therefore be submitting no earmark requests for fiscal year 2009.”
The second box states: “I believe the House should continue to provide responsible earmarks at a reasonable level and consistent with that position, I will be submitting appropriate requests for fiscal year 2009.”
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http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/obey-surveys-house-gop-members-on-earmarks-2008-03-05.html