Congressman Flake rolls back an earmark

Via The Club for Growth:

Flake Takes on Pork and Wins

Washington – For the first time, one of Representative Jeff Flake’s (R-AZ) amendments to eliminate wasteful pork projects passed. Late last night, 100 Republicans and 149 Democrats voted to strip the Financial Services Appropriations Bill (HR 2829) of a $129,000 pork project offered by fellow Republican Patrick McHenry (R-NC) for the “Perfect Christmas Tree” project—a venture to subsidize North Carolina artists who make holiday decorations.

The indomitable Jeff Flake has made a career out fighting against wasteful pork projects on behalf of American taxpayers. Last year, he offered 39 similar amendments and has offered 12 so far this year with more to come. The Club for Growth is monitoring these votes and others and will release a RePORK Card documenting which congressmen vote to protect American taxpayers and which do not.

“Last’s night’s victory is a small victory for taxpayers, but it is a victory nonetheless,” said Club for Growth President Pat Toomey. “The Club for Growth commends Jeff Flake for his tireless work and encourages taxpayer heroes like Rep. Flake to continue in what will surely be an uphill battle.”

“Unfortunately, many of the Democrats voting for Flake’s amendment were motivated by personal animus rather than fiscal responsibility. The same Democrats who rallied to vote against the ‘Perfect Christmas Tree’ project voted to support a host of other wasteful projects including the Barracks Row Project in D.C. and the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association’s urban center. Clearly, we have a long way to go before taxpayers can count on a majority of Congress to protect their hard-earned dollars.”

Related: Congressman Jeff Flake discusses earmarks on C-SPAN