Today, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) announced a two year moratorium on earmarks. The call comes after the new House Republican majority continued its own moratorium and President Obama, in his State of the Union Address, unequivocally told Congress that he would veto any legislation sent to his desk that contained earmarks.

Following is a statement from TCS President Ryan Alexander regarding today’s earmark moratorium announcement by Chairman Inouye:

“A one-two punch from Congressional Republicans and the President has brought an end to earmarks – at least temporarily. Now it’s time for the President and Congress to roll up their collective sleeves and design the transparent, merit-based, competitive, and formula systems to make responsible spending decisions. No more political muscle trumping project merit. This should usher in a new era for accountability and oversight on federal spending, not just in earmarked accounts, but budget-wide.”

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Sen. Inouye Statement