Bonner gets important committee assignment
Congress Reports
Jo Bonner

Late last week, I was appointed to serve on the House Appropriations Committee. The Republican Steering Committee selected me to fill the vacancy created when former U.S. Rep. Roger Wicker (R-MS) was appointed to the Senate following the resignation of Senate Republican Whip Trent Lott (R-MS).

Naturally, I am extremely honored - and obviously deeply humbled - by the confidence the members of the Steering Committee demonstrated in me by appointing me to the Appropriations Committee.

This appointment means even more to me when you take into account the many outstanding colleagues the Steering Committee had from which to choose.

Just being considered along with colleagues like Tom Cole, Henry Brown, Dave Reichert, Marilyn Musgrave, Jeff Flake, and Mike Turner has been an honor in itself.

It is clear; the current earmark process has become a symbol of a broken Washington. I sought this seat on the Appropriations Committee because I believe the time for change and reform - especially of the appropriations process and the much scrutinized subject of earmarks - is now.

My first priority as a member of the committee will be to serve as a vigilant guardian of your tax dollars, helping to expose and eliminate wasteful or questionable spending.

Towards that end, I have strongly supported the efforts of House Republican leadership to reform the current earmark process and eliminate wasteful spending.

I support Republican Leader Boehner's call for a moratorium on all earmarks while a bipartisan select committee identifies ways to eliminate pork barrel spending.

Quite frankly, Speaker Pelosi has the power to bring the current earmark process to an immediate halt. Until she does, I will use my seat on this committee to ensure there is full accountability and transparency on the Appropriations Committee in the spending decisions it makes.

By entrusting me with this position, the Steering Committee has charged me with helping to reform the earmark process and restoring fiscal credibility to Washington. I won't let them down, and I won't let the people of southwest Alabama down either.

My staff and I work for you. If we can ever be of service, do not hesitate to call my office toll free at 1-800-288- 8721 or visit my website at http://bonner.house.gov.

Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, represents the First Congressional District of Alabama which includes a portion of Clarke County.

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
Alston to celebrate 103rd birthday July 6	1
Godbold-Fleming marry in British Virgin Islands	1
Longtime county lawman retiring	1
CCHS releases honor rolls for third nine weeks	1
Bulldogs christen new field with DH sweep	1
Johnny Estis still going strong at 80, repairing broken TVs, other electronics	1
A Christmas present for CCHS students	1
Clarke County Jail bookings detailed	1
Memoriam	1
Marijuana prevalent in county jail bookings	1