Sen. Baker Signs "No Pork Pledge"

Sen. Baker Signs "No Pork Pledge"

Baker:  “I specifically challenge all candidates, soon-to-be candidates, and members of Congress to make the same pledge to be beholden to their constituents and not to back room deals.”

Conway, Ark.  – Conway, Ark.  – United States Senate candidate Gilbert Baker has signed the Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) “No Pork Pledge,” vowing not to request any pork-barrel earmarks as a United States Senator.
“I will say ‘no’ to pork-barrel spending and earmarks in Washington D.C. because it drives up the budget and wastes taxpayer money,” Baker said.  “I specifically challenge all candidates, soon-to-be candidates, and members of Congress to make the same pledge to be beholden to their constituents and not to back room deals.”
By signing the pledge, Sen. Baker vows not to request earmarks, which are defined as meeting one of the following criteria:
·         Requested by only one chamber of Congress;
·         Not specifically authorized;
·         Not competitively awarded;
·         Not requested by the president;
·         Greatly exceeds the president's budget request or the previous year's funding;
·         Not the subject of congressional hearings; or
·         Serves only a local or special interest.
“Pork barrel projects are an unequal distribution of federal funds, and I will not be a part of behind closed door deliberations where these deals are cut,” said Baker. 
According to the CCAGW website, “In fiscal year 2009, Congress stuffed 10,160 projects into the 12 appropriations bills worth $19.6 billion.  Total pork identified by CCAGW since 1991 adds up to $290 billion.”
“The people of Arkansas should not be responsible for paying for the famous Bridge to Nowhere or swine manure research in Iowa anymore than they should be paying for a tattoo removal program in California,” Baker said.  “As Arkansas’ next United States Senator, I will answer to the people, not the pork dealers.”