FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Isakson Co-Sponsors Legislation to Create Earmark Database
‘We must take the time to establish transparency and disclosure in the appropriations process’

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today co-sponsored legislation that would create a single, searchable database of all congressional earmark requests.

“One of the problems we have in Congress with spending is spending money on projects that shouldn’t be funded with tax dollars,” Isakson said. “We must establish transparency and disclosure in the appropriations process.”

The Earmark Transparency Act of 2010 would create a user-friendly, online database that would allow citizens to sort, search and download earmark data. Under the legislation, the database would provide details on projects, including the amount of the initial request, the amount approved by the congressional committee, the amount approved in the final legislation, the sponsor’s name, the sponsor’s state or district and the project name as well as other relevant information.

The bill would require the website to include the earmark request letter written by a member of Congress and any documents supporting the request that is sent to a congressional committee. The legislation is consistent with President Obama’s statements that all requested earmarks that are approved should be made public before a vote.

In 2008, Isakson supported an amendment to establish a one-year moratorium on earmarks to enable Congress to create new disciplines in the earmarking process. In March 2010, Isakson co-sponsored and again voted for legislation that called for a one-year moratorium on earmarks in the Senate.

In 2008, Isakson served on the Fiscal Reform Working Group, which was created to address spending and earmark reform. On April 3, 2008, the group released its recommendations on how to bring about more confidence in the authorization and appropriations process through increased transparency, debt reduction and oversight. 

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