Congressman Biggs' Statement on Earmarks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Rules Committee hosted a member day on the issue of earmarks. Congressman Biggs issued the following statement:

"I am fundamentally opposed to earmarks. The old system was flawed, leading to corruption and coercion. Congress was right to stop the rampant earmark abuse and work towards a more transparent appropriations process.

"However, in attempting to correct this spending mechanism, we ceded too much power to the executive branch. Congress has become too comfortable with top-line appropriations, letting unelected bureaucrats determine our nation's spending priorities.

"We cannot return to the old earmarks rules. However, Congress must reassert its Article I, Section 8 spending authority to control the budget. We should prohibit career bureaucrats from being given carte blanche over important appropriations decisions."

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Congressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.