Washington, D.C. – The following is a prepared statement by Steve Ellis, Vice President for Programs at Taxpayers for Common Sense:

First, we would like to congratulate Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) on being selected as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee for the 109th Congress. We wish Chairman Lewis well, and believe him to be a talented, thoughtful lawmaker. Rep. Lewis may have thought that raising hordes of campaign cash was the hard work, but now the real work begins. The nation is facing record deficits for as far as the eye can see and the new chairman needs to resist doling out favors and keep a tight hand on the nation’s purse strings. We are not naïve, Appropriations Committee Chairman is still one of the most sought after jobs in Washington and Chairman Lewis will face tremendous pressure to spread political grease to his allies. What the country needs is for Chairman Lewis to stand up to his buddies, reign in the outrageous earmarking of recent years, and cut out frivolous and wasteful spending. The new Chairman needs to remind Congress that it’s the taxpayer’s money, not theirs.

Good luck Chairman Lewis and don’t let us down.

Contact: Steve Ellis
(202) 546-8500 x126