(June 2)  Fully one-fifth of Senators have now joined efforts to show American taxpayers the true priorities of Congress. 

Co-Sponsors:

Sen Alexander, Lamar [R-TN] – 5/13/2010
Sen Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO] – 5/11/2010
Sen Boxer, Barbara [D-CA] – 5/12/2010
Sen Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE] – 5/18/2010
Sen Chambliss, Saxby [R-GA] – 5/12/2010
Sen Corker, Bob [R-TN] – 5/11/2010
Sen Cornyn, John [R-TX] – 5/12/2010
Sen DeMint, Jim [R-SC] – 5/12/2010
Sen Ensign, John [R-NV] – 5/11/2010
Sen Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY] – 5/18/2010
Sen Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI] – 5/11/2010
Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY] – 5/11/2010
Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] – 5/13/2010
Sen Isakson, Johnny [R-GA] – 5/12/2010
Sen McCain, John [R-AZ] -5/11/2010
Sen McCaskill, Claire [D-MO] – 5/12/2010
Sen Tester, Jon [D-MT] – 5/13/2010
Sen Thune, John [R-SD] – 5/18/2010
Sen Udall, Mark [D-CO] – 5/11/2010

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(May 14) Bipartisan sup port for earmark transparency continues to grow with the addition of Sens. Tester (D-MT) and Alexander (R-TN) as cosponsors. 

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(May 12) Cosponsors now up to 14:

Sens. Chambliss (R-GA) and DeMint (R-SC) have signed on to S.3335.

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(May 12) New cosponsors added:

Boxer (D-CA)
Bennet (D-CO)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Ensign (R-NV)
Isaakson (R-GA)
Mccaskill (D-MO)
Mark Udall (D-CO)

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(May 11) Reps. Cassidy (R-LA) and Speier (D-CA) have introduced companion earmark transparency legislation in the House.  Th eir bill is H.R. 5258

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(May 11) Sens. Coburn (R-OK), Gillibrand (D-NY), McCain (R-AZ), and Feingold (D-WI) introduced legislation, S.3335, today that would direct the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House to create a timely, searchable, downloadable database of all earmark requests and awards in spending, authorization and tax bills. This would meet a challenge issued by President Obama in the State of the Union address.

It is well past time for this common sense bill. Citizens deserve to know where lawmakers are sending their precious tax dollars. This extensive database put an exhaust fan on the smoke filled room where these decisions are made. Taxpayers would be able to see not only who requested what and for who, but also a biography on each earmark. The database would have information on how long it has been funded, matching funds, completion date, justification, the works.

Read the Full Legislation: Earmark Transparency Act of 2010 Full Text (PDF)

Read the Executive Summary (PDF)

Read the Detalied Summary (PDF)