WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Rick Scott led the introduction of a resolution in the U.S. Senate slamming Congress’ obsession with reckless earmarks. Joining Senator Scott in fighting against this reckless government spending are Senators Ron Johnson, Mike Braun, Marsha Blackburn, John Barrasso, Mike Lee, Josh Hawley, Rand Paul and Steve Daines. Additionally, this resolution has been endorsed by Heritage Action.

The minibus spending bill being considered by the Senate contains more than 6,600 earmarks detailed over 605 pages which include:

• $1 million for an environmental justice center in New York City;
• $3.5 million for a Thanksgiving parade in Michigan; and
• $1 million for a social justice center in San Francisco to make building improvements.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Earmarks are Washington’s corrupt way to recklessly spend taxpayer money with zero scrutiny and must be stopped. While the federal government’s debt nears $35 trillion and inflation has skyrocketed 18% under Joe Biden, the minibus spending bill has more than 6,600 projects that will cost taxpayers $12 BILLION. This clearly isn’t about funding the government, it’s about funding pet projects for politicians like Chuck Schumer. Floridians have no interest in funding Schumer’s wish list. We must end this wasteful political corruption that Washington calls earmarks.”

Senator Ron Johnson said, “Earmarks are the gateway drug to more massive deficit spending. Even some Republicans joined with Democrats to contribute billions in earmarks to this bill, despite claiming to value fiscal responsibility. America cannot afford a wish list upwards of $12 billion that further mortgages our children’s futures and masquerades as responsible spending.”

Senator Mike Braun said, “The American people should not be forced to pay for political pet projects. There are over 6,000 earmarks in this inflation bomb spending bill. Cut them all.”

Senator Marsha Blackburn said, “The Washington swamp uses earmarks to push lobbyist pet projects and continue a pattern of wasteful spending that only hurts Main Street businesses and hardworking families. Tennessee taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for a social justice organization in Northern California, an education campaign to protect monk seals in Hawaii, or an environmental justice center in New York. This is a reckless waste of taxpayer dollars that will only exacerbate our national debt.”

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