(Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers released the following statement today after signing a Republican discharge petition to force a vote on a bill to ensure all earmarks, including those in tax and authorization bills, are publicly disclosed and can be challenged on the House floor:

“The American public wants and deserves to know that their tax payer dollars are being spent wisely. While not all earmarks are bad, too often pet projects are hidden in bills or slipped in at the last minute during closed door meetings. If a member isn’t willing to publicly take ownership or defend a project for which they have requested funds, then we shouldn’t be spending taxpayer dollars on it. We need to shed light on the earmark process and ensure that money is only being spent on legitimate projects.

“When the Democrats regained the majority, they promised to have an open and accountable government. They need to fulfill that promise by extending earmark reforms to tax and authorization bills.

“This legislation will restore accountability and transparency to the earmark process and deserves to at least be brought to the floor for a vote. I hope all my colleagues in the House, both Democrats and Republicans, will come together to support this legislation and restore integrity to Congress.”