Republican senators divided on earmark ban

Senate Republicans Wednesday left a meeting on the practice of earmarking federal funds for home-state projects divided over whether to pursue a temporary ban of congressionally directed spending.

"I got the impression that this was kind of an opportunity for people to air their view of the world," said Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., who doesn't favor earmarks and supports a ban. "I don't do earmarks," Johanns said, adding, "I came out here and decided not to get in the earmark business, and I am very happy I didn't."

The meeting comes after House Republicans pledged not to take any earmarks for a year, which they believe will help tap into populist anger about spending and debt ahead of the November midterm elections.

Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., is leading the charge among Republicans to follow House Republicans' lead.

He said he might seek to have the caucus vote on the matter, but he has to give a week's notice. "We are still considering" a vote, DeMint said.

On Tuesday, the Senate defeated, 68-29, an amendment DeMint offered to Federal Aviation Administration legislation that would have imposed a virtual ban on earmarks for fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 by requiring a two-thirds vote on a point of order for any bill that included earmarks in those years.

Of the 68 senators who voted to table DeMint's amendment, 13 were Republicans.

Republicans who support the practice argue that a ban would not reduce spending because the funds would be just be spent by federal agencies directed by the White House.

Budget Committee ranking member Judd Gregg, R-N.H., voted against the DeMint amendment and said he does not favor a moratorium.

"I think the president has enough power," Gregg said. "I think the Congress ought to retain a little bit."

In a speech on the floor Wednesday, Environment and Public Works ranking member James Inhofe, R-Okla., who also opposes a ban, said "The public has been duped into thinking that congressional earmarks are a problem" and cited several transportation earmarks DeMint had sought.

But DeMint was undaunted. "I am a recovering earmaker, and the first step to recovery is knowing you have a problem," he said.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn of Texas said Senate Republicans need to explain that earmarks are a minor part of a broad issue of excessive spending.

Republicans should focus on issues like "putting caps on discretionary spending," Cornyn said, "and things we can do in terms of entitlement reform.

"The truth is, earmarks are just a fraction of the spending problem which Washington is addicted to," he said. "I think we need a more comprehensive solution. ... I think we need to make that point, explain why it's not a complete solution," Cornyn said.

Dan Friedman contributed to this report.