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Slashing of McConnell earmarks demanded
By John Cheves
Reform groups in Washington are demanding that Congress strip $25 million in earmarks that Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is pushing for a British defense contractor facing a criminal investigation by the U.S. Justice Department and an audit by the U.S. Defense Department.
"Public confidence in Congress continues to wane, and wasteful spending and corruption continue to be primary causes of public concern," the National Legal and Policy Center and Taxpayers for Common Sense wrote Wednesday to the Senate and House appropriations committees.
Unless Congress removes McConnell's earmarks for BAE Systems, a major McConnell campaign donor, it sends "the message that the way to success in getting taxpayers' money is to put your facilities in key congressional districts, give campaign donations to those congressmen, and hope the Congress rewards you despite an ongoing federal investigation," the groups wrote.
The Herald-Leader first reported on the earmarks Saturday.
McConnell defended his earmarks in an e-mail to the Herald-Leader this week, saying the money helps BAE to keep jobs in Kentucky.
BAE is based in Great Britain but has worldwide operations, including a Louisville factory that makes naval guns and employs 322. McConnell has taken at least $53,000 in campaign donations from BAE's political-action committees and employees since his 2002 re-election. United Defense Industries, which BAE purchased two years ago, pledged $500,000 to a political-science foundation the senator created, the McConnell Center at the University of Louisville.
http://www.lexingtonheraldleader.com/454/story/219375.html
By John Cheves
Reform groups in Washington are demanding that Congress strip $25 million in earmarks that Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is pushing for a British defense contractor facing a criminal investigation by the U.S. Justice Department and an audit by the U.S. Defense Department.
"Public confidence in Congress continues to wane, and wasteful spending and corruption continue to be primary causes of public concern," the National Legal and Policy Center and Taxpayers for Common Sense wrote Wednesday to the Senate and House appropriations committees.
Unless Congress removes McConnell's earmarks for BAE Systems, a major McConnell campaign donor, it sends "the message that the way to success in getting taxpayers' money is to put your facilities in key congressional districts, give campaign donations to those congressmen, and hope the Congress rewards you despite an ongoing federal investigation," the groups wrote.
The Herald-Leader first reported on the earmarks Saturday.
McConnell defended his earmarks in an e-mail to the Herald-Leader this week, saying the money helps BAE to keep jobs in Kentucky.
BAE is based in Great Britain but has worldwide operations, including a Louisville factory that makes naval guns and employs 322. McConnell has taken at least $53,000 in campaign donations from BAE's political-action committees and employees since his 2002 re-election. United Defense Industries, which BAE purchased two years ago, pledged $500,000 to a political-science foundation the senator created, the McConnell Center at the University of Louisville.
http://www.lexingtonheraldleader.com/454/story/219375.html