Utah’s Republicans Love Their Pork!!!
Representative Jeff Flake from Arizona recently pushed through legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives which forced House members to vote yes or no on each earmark (pork barrel project) attached to a spending bill so it would be plain as day who really is fiscally conservative and who only claims to be. The Club For Growth now has the tally listing who is responsible for the pork coming from Washington and who is working to fight it.
How did Utah’s congressmen do? I’m sure none of you will be surprised to hear that the only semi-consistent anti-pork congressman from Utah is the lone Democrat in the delegation, Jim Matheson. He voted against the earmarks 14 out of 19 times.
The votes of Utah’s Republicans did nothing to help improve their reputations as complete hypocrites. Rob Bishop voted in favor of pork projects 11 out of 19 times and Chris Cannon was even worse voting for the pork projects 14 out of 19 times.
More reason for Utah’s Republicans to be embarrassed at their candidates’ policies and actions.
UPDATE:
Cleverly Blogged has done a great job cataloging each of these earmark votes and how Utah’s delegation voted. Nice work!
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I heard Bill Frist say the other day that you can’t go wrong voting against a bill that is going to pass, or voting for a bill that is going to fail. He might have been quoting Bob Dole, but I haven’t verified that, yet. I think Matheson has applied this logic perfectly.
Utah’s biggest Porker is, recently, Bob Bennett. No matter how much I like the guy, he’s decided to play by the rules until they are changed. Right now, the rules seem to say that pork is okay.
Pork is one of those things that you hate to see go to another state. Porkers love those who won’t get pork for themselves because it means more Pork for those who are asking for it.
Comment by Tyler Farrer — July 27, 2006 @ 3:22 pm
I think you mean Jim Matheson; otherwise I agree
Comment by brett — July 28, 2006 @ 9:07 am
DOH! Brett is right…Jim\\\’s dad was a cool governor but he doesn\\\’t get credit for voting correctly in the House of Representatives.
Thanks Brett!
Comment by Jeremy Manning — July 28, 2006 @ 9:44 am
Tyler,
I agree with you…in a lot of cases representatives feel they can vote correctly only when they know their vote doesn’t really count. Its too bad thats the case but thats politics.
I haven’t done much research on porking by Senators but I will. Its too bad Bennett is a problem politician in this area…I really want to love him for his vote on Hatch’s flag amendment!
Comment by Jeremy Manning — July 28, 2006 @ 9:51 am