Erik Telford

Literally under the cover of darkness, 71 Senators chose unaccountable pork-barrel earmarks over restoring trust with taxpayers when they rejected the year-long bi-partisan earmark moratorium on Thursday, March 13.

Despite being sponsored by every presidential candidate, the temporary ban on earmarks was rejected 71-29 in a vote late on Thursday night.

For taxpayers, this vote means it’s time to turn up the grassroots heat even higher. Only a few years ago such a vote would not have even been possible, so we are gaining ground and shaming lawmakers into supporting meaningful earmark reform.

The Democratic and Republican leadership particularly needs to feel the pressure. While Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl lived up to his leadership role, Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell did not. McConnell eventually did vote in support of the amendment, but he did not rally his party rank-and-file to follow him in making the right decision.

Please contact your Senators today to let them know you are paying attention to the way they vote on this important issue. We have created two separate messages for your Senators which will be sent based on how they voted on this amendment. Feel free to edit these messages to create one of your own.

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