House appropriator seeks extension of earmark deadline

Appropriations ranking member Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., has written Appropriations Chairman David Obey, D-Wis., urging a two- or three-week extension of Friday's deadline for earmark requests.

Lewis and other members, including Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, in his letter Thursday to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., have expressed concern that new rules governing earmarks have led to confusion. A House rules change earlier this year required members requesting earmarks to disclose their backing for the project, its purpose and intended recipient, and whether they have a financial interest in it.

Members say they lack clear guidance from the Ethics Committee on what constitutes a financial interest.

"This lack of guidance ... is causing a great deal of concern among Republicans and Democrats in the House, who, in spite of their best efforts to comply with the new House rules, may find themselves inadvertently in violation," Lewis wrote. "I am writing to request that you use your considerable influence with Speaker Pelosi and within the Democrat leadership to insist that the [Ethics Committee] issue clear, concise guidance to all House members ... so that each member of the House can fully comply with the spirit and letter of House rules."

His letter also asks for clarity on how to address requests by members for programmatic increases, such as a lawmaker asking for an increase in low-income heating subsidies, or requests for funding signed by several lawmakers.

Obey is preparing to begin markups of the 12 fiscal 2008 spending bills, and the March 16 deadline has been in place for years so the panel can have its bills ready by early May. "We will work with members to address any problems as they come up," an Obey spokeswoman said.

In addition, a Pelosi aide said Thursday that the Ethics panel would produce guidelines by Tuesday, and that members would be granted flexibility so they can accurately fill out certification forms. Lewis said a slight delay in the deadline might be warranted nonetheless.

"All House members deserve the courtesy of a clear interpretation so that they may fully comply with House rules. Understanding, as I do, what our subcommittee chairmen and the staff are now addressing, I don't believe a brief delay of two or three weeks will in any way hinder their ability to meet markup deadlines that may soon be set for them," Lewis wrote.