08 April 2004

by Anai Rhoads

AnaiRhoads.org - The Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) released the most current summarised list of pork-barrel targets entitled the 2004 Congressional Pig Book during a press conference Thursday.

Some examples in this year's Pig Book include $100,000 to restore the historic Coca-Cola building in Macon, Georgia., $300,000 for Rock and Roll-related pork including $200,000 for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio and $100,000 for the Kids Rock Free Educational Programme, $2.25 million for Shakespeare-related funding, $50 million for an indoor rainforest project in Coralville, Iowa., and $18.5 million for the International Fund for Ireland.

"As Americans prepare their taxes, which are due next week, they should look at both parties in Congress with scorn," CAGW President Thomas A. Schatz said. "Republicans and Democrats alike have shown a total disregard for the $521 billion deficit and $7.1 trillion debt, and by doing so, a lack of respect for taxpayers. The money in the U.S Treasury belongs to all Americans, not elected officials who want to use it to pay for parochial projects in an effort to bolster their reelection campaigns. Our representatives and senators should be ashamed, especially the appropriators who are largely responsible for inserting many of these projects into the budget. In this time of war, too many elected officials are more interested in protecting their incumbency than in protecting the physical and financial security of the American people."

According to a CAGW press release, the total number of projects hidden in the thirteen appropriations bills is a record 10,656, 13 percent over last year's total of 9,362 - an increase of 384 percent over six years. Total spending increased to a record-breaking $22.9 billion, 1.6 percent higher than last year's high of $22.5 billion.

"Congress once again failed in its most basic responsibility by not being able to approve a budget until almost one-third of the fiscal year had elapsed. When they finally reached an agreement in January, juicy morsels of pork went unnoticed and unquestioned. Now after sorting through the bills, we know the usual suspects- Sens. Stevens, Inouye, and Byrd-led the way to new heights of excess. They and many other members of Congress remain unrepentant in their abuses of power."

The 2004 Congressional Pig Book was written by David E. Williams, vice president, policy, and John Middleton, research associate. It was edited by Thomas A. Schatz, president. CAGW released its first Pig Book back in 1991. This year's 630 projects profiled in the booklet will cost taxpayers an estimated $3.1 billion.

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