Earmark reformers expect more allies in new Congress

A coalition of earmark reformers believes that its goal of increased transparency and accountability will strike a chord with what is expected to be a surge of members in the next Congress who are hostile to earmarks.

"We know that the next Congress is going to be more ... anti-earmark or earmark reform oriented than the current Congress," said Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense and a member of the coalition. "Look at the midterm elections, and that is the way it's going, particularly the House Republican Conference."

Ellis spoke Wednesday at a briefing by the coalition of good-government groups and lobbyists on its proposals to Congress on cleaning up the process. Typically political adversaries, members of the coalition have come together to seek common ground on the issue.

"This is part of the reason why we are going public with this," said Craig Holman, legislative representative for Public Citizen. "This is something that candidates [who] aren't here yet are going to hear about."

The group plans to brief freshman members and their staff after the election in an effort to win support for its ideas, according to Richard Gold of Holland and Knight, who has helped form the coalition.

Last month, the group unveiled five principles that all members agree would increase transparency and accountability in the process. The principles include severing the ties between earmarks and campaign contributions; barring congressional legislative aides from participating in fundraising activities; creating a new database of all earmarks; giving the Government Accountability Office the power to randomly audit earmarks; and requiring lawmakers to certify that a recipient of an earmark is qualified to handle the project being funded.

Talk of earmark reform comes as many candidates -- looking to capitalize on voter discontent on spending and deficit issues -- have ramped up talk against earmarks.

Dino Rossi, the Senate GOP nominee in Washington, has criticized his opponent, three term incumbent Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., for funneling millions worth of earmarks back to the state. Rossi has vowed not to take any earmarks. The race is considered a toss-up by election guru Charlie Cook.

Democratic Senate nominee Robin Carnahan -- who is facing Republican Rep. Roy Blunt to take the seat of retiring Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo. -- has also pledged not to take any earmarks in an effort to seek an edge over her opponent. Cook also rates the race a toss-up.

Tom Schatz, president of Citizens Against Government Waste, said that despite many candidates taking pledges against earmarks "that doesn't mean they can't support reform."

The coalition said its ideas have received more attention in the House than in the Senate.

"There was definitely real interest there," said former Rep. James Walsh, R-N.Y., of K&L Gates.

If the House moves to adopt some of the proposals, pressure will build on the Senate to follow suit, members of the coalition contend.

"What occurs, I believe, will start first in the House," Schatz said.