CCAGW Warns Congress Not to Use War Supplemental as an Excuse for Pork | Council For Citizens Against Government Waste

CCAGW Warns Congress Not to Use War Supplemental as an Excuse for Pork

Press Release

For Immediate ReleaseContact:Mark Carpenter/Jonathan Trager
March 25, 2003(202) 467-5300

 

Washington, D.C. – The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) today urged Congress to pass President Bush’s supplemental appropriations request for the War on Terrorism without loading it up with pet projects and pork-barrel politics.  The President’s request for $74.7 billion in funding covers the cost of the War with Iraq, post-war reconstruction, International Assistance Programs for countries aiding in the war, homeland security, and the legislative branch.

“Members of Congress love any opportunity to bring home the bacon,” CCAGW President Tom Schatz said.  “Hopefully when considering this supplemental spending legislation, they will put the needs of the nation ahead of those of their districts and states.  The country is facing a $300 billion deficit and can not afford anymore wasteful spending.”

Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) is scheduled to release its 2003 Congressional Pig Book on April 9, which will reveal a record amount of pork projects and spending in fiscal 2003.  It will be an increase over the $20.1 billion spent on pork in fiscal 2002. 

“Clearly when Congress passed the Omnibus Spending bill last month, they knew that the potential for war existed,” Schatz continued.  “Nevertheless, they still acted without a sense of fiscal responsibility.  The money spent on pork and other wasteful government programs could have been better used to help fund the war or other vital national needs.  Instead, money is being spent on projects such as the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and the National Peanut Festival.”

Overall, non-defense discretionary spending increased in fiscal 2003 by more than $12 billion or three percent from the previous year.  In past wartime situations, Congress has understood the need to cut non-defense discretionary spending.  Prior to World War II, non-defense spending was reduced dramatically.  Between 1939 and 1942, it was cut by 22 percent.  An additional 37 percent was eliminated over the next two years.  During the Korean War, non-defense discretionary spending dropped 25 percent between 1950 and 1951.

“Congress needs only to look to history as a guide to realize that it is essential to the country’s welfare to slash non-defense spending in a time of war,” Schatz concluded.  “We can only hope that members do not take advantage of the President’s request to pursue their own opportunistic agendas.” 

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste is the lobbying arm of Citizens Against Government Waste, the nation's largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.

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