Lean Omnibus Exits Conference Full of Pork

(Washington, D.C.) - The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) urged members of Congress to reject the Omnibus spending bill passed in conference and expected to be voted on in the House later tonight.  The bill totals $397.4 billion in spending, covering the 11 of 13 appropriation bills that failed to pass months earlier and would fund the federal government for fiscal year 2003.

“In a time of $300 billion budget deficits, a sagging economy, and a looming war, Congress should set aside their preference for pet projects and work to reduce wasteful spending,” CCAGW President Tom Schatz said.  “The federal government has continued to function over the last four and a half months on continuing resolutions, and at this point it would make more sense to finish the year using last year’s spending levels.”

The Omnibus bill may be the “porkiest” bill ever.  Although it is too early to calculate, it is predicted that this year’s bill will surpass the record amount of $20.1 billion in pork barrel spending CAGW identified last year. 

“Representatives and Senators, Republicans and Democrats have loaded this bill with some of the most wasteful projects in history,” Schatz continued.  “A quick look reveals that members are more concerned about protecting their incumbency than protecting people.  The billions of dollars we expect to find can certainly be used for more important purposes.”

While still combing through the report, several earmarks discovered in the Omnibus are:

• $1 million for the Iowa Historical Society for exhibits related to the world food prize;
• $750,000 for the Baseball Hall of Fame;
• $732,000 for the Center for Designing Foods at Iowa State;
• $725,000 for the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia;
• $500,000 for the Boat House Museum in St. Charles, Missouri;
• $500,000 for Tongass Coast Aquarium in Alaska;
• $350,000 for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame;
• $210,000 for swine hoop barn research in Iowa;
• $200,000 for the Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center;
• $150,000 for new office space for the “King of Pork,” Sen. Robert Byrd;
• $100,000 for the Sea Otter Commission in Alaska;
• $90,000 for the Cowgirl Hall of Fame.

“Times of crisis require leadership, not self interest,” Schatz concluded.  “Taxpayers can only hope that Congress gets the message for fiscal 2004, and will go on a pork-free diet.”

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste is the lobbying arm of Citizens Against Government Waste, the nation's largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.