In my race for House Majority Leader I made it clear that the American people are justifiably frustrated with their elected officials due to the addiction of many Members of Congress to wasteful pork barrel earmarked spending. Controlling fiscal waste and abuse centers on ending backroom, late night deals and opening the legislative process in its entirety to the public. At a minimum, it is important to require that all requests for earmarks be made public with the name of the Member of Congress making the request, the purpose of the earmark, the name and address of the recipient, and the constitutional authority allowing the request. Another tool to hold earmark proliferators accountable would be the ability of a citizen to submit a Freedom of Information Act request to view correspondence related to specific earmarks.

Casting bright sunshine on the process will hold elected officials and those that seek earmarks accountable -- and thus should reduce the popularity of earmarks. The American people should expect fiscal responsibility from their government and they haven't seen it.

The Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), a Congressional watchdog organization, rates members of the House and Senate for their effectiveness in controlling wasteful government spending. I was proud to be designated as a "Taxpayer Hero" in the House for my votes to limit the size and scope of the federal government. Moreover, I was also designated a "Taxpayers' Friend" from the National Taxpayers Union for my voting record regarding tax, spending, and budget process reform votes in the first half of the 109th session of Congress.