There's plenty of blame to go around in Washington when it comes to earmarks. Even in this, "the Most Ethical Congress in History," the earmarks continue unabated - in fact, Democrat leaders are trying to do away with what little transparency existed in the previous Congress.

And when we do get to peek behind the curtain to see what's being requested, it should come as no surprise that the pork is still there.

Case in point: The very first earmark listed in the committee report for the Financial Services Appropriations bill. This is a request for $231,000 for the "Abraham Lincoln National Airport Commission" for minority and small business development and procurement opportunities.

What does this commission do, you ask?

It seeks to create a third airport in the Chicago area, responding to "a mandate from its members to plan, develop, finance, construct and operate a commercial airport with passenger and cargo facilities near University Park, Illinois."

So this earmark would provide federal tax dollars for business development funds to an airport that doesn't yet exist, despite the fact that there are two functional airports in the same area.

And who heads this commission, you ask?

The Executive Director of the commission is Mr. Richard Bryant. In addition to his role with the commission, Mr. Bryant is also Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s Deputy District Administrator.

And which Member of Congress requested this earmark?

Why, that would be Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.

Posted By: House Conservatives Fund at 10:25:23 AM

More Articles

Main | "They're not gonna take it..." »