“Election shows earmarks don’t help incumbents get re-elected,” says Schatz

(Washington, D.C.) – Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today noted that despite a budget deadlock that tied up 11 of 13 appropriations bills—and all attached pork projects—incumbent members of Congress in the House had a re-election rate of 98 percent and at least an 85 percent rate in the Senate.

“So much for the idea that House and Senate members can’t get re-elected without bringing home the bacon,” CAGW President Tom Schatz said.  “This election shows that incumbents have nothing to fear from slowing down government spending and eliminating pork.  Big government and parochial projects do not bring people out to vote.”

Last year’s pork total, by CAGW’s tally, was $20.1 billion.

CAGW also noted the country seems to be running just fine at last year’s spending levels.  By one estimate, Congress’s failure to pass the appropriations saved taxpayers $106 billion over ten years.

“Miracle of miracles, the sky has not fallen, grandma’s checks are still being sent out, and the national parks remain open,” Schatz continued.  “So much for the idea that automatic, across-the-board increases are required every year for every agency and program.”

“Normally we criticize government for failing to get its work done,” Schatz added.  “But in this case, taxpayers actually saved money.  Congress may be the only institution in America where abdication of responsibility may be a good thing.”

“Come January, when the new Congress convenes and it moves forward on the 11 remaining appropriations bills, leaders in both houses should block their colleagues from larding up the bills with waste and pork,” Schatz concluded.  “There is no excuse, in a time of war, deficits, and a slow economy, not to put Congress on a pork-free diet.”

Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, mismanagement and abuse in government.