Democrat takes one giant leap for common sense

One small step like this amounts to a giant leap for common sense these days.

On April 9, U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick became the first Democrat in the House of Representatives to swear off earmarks for this fiscal year, according to the Club for Growth.

Minnick explained his decision in an interview with the Idaho Statesman:

"In this tough economic time, we all need to cut back," Minnick said. "I strongly support many of the projects submitted to my office, so I understand why this decision will not be popular with some and that it may meet criticism."

It’s one thing for three Republican senators to go against their party when it’s out of power (as Sens. Collins, Snowe and Specter did on the “stimulus” vote); but to have a freshman Democrat take this kind of step when his party has the greatest power situation since 1965, controlling both the Congress and the White House, is unbelievable.

He could have easily laid low, built up relationships with appropriators and flooded his district with pork in an attempt to set up his re-election campaign. Instead he decided to, in his words, “Do what I believe is best for Idaho and our country."

Minnick narrowly defeated U.S. Rep. Bill Sali last November, edging out the incumbent Republican 51-49 percent. He was also one of 11 Democrats to vote against the “stimulus.”

Here in Texas, U.S. Reps. Jeb Hensarling and Michael McCaul are the only members of the congressional delegation to have sworn off earmarks so far.

Meanwhile, U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison have been navigating a rather confusing path on the issue.

Last month, Cornyn and Hutchison voted for an amendment to strip all 8,500 earmarks from President Obama’s budget. The amendment failed and both wound up voting against the budget, while at the same time securing millions in earmarks.

Statistics provided by Taxpayers for Common Sense detail who received the most earmarks in the new budget. Among the Texas delegation, Hutchison led with a total of $152.9 million, followed by Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Waco) with $116.9 million and Cornyn with $86 million.

It’s a shame they do not share the convictions of an Idaho Democrat.

Click here to read the Idaho Statesman story.