Blue Dogs At Risk Get Help, $200M

House Democratic leaders have directed tens of millions of dollars in federal funds to the districts of vulnerable incumbents, including many conservative Blue Dogs who typically stress fiscal restraint.

Nearly $200 million worth of earmarks has gone to members of the Blue Dog Coalition — including $150 million in the military construction appropriations bill and over $44 million in the transportation bill.

Republicans and a spending watchdog group criticized the earmarks, saying that self-described budget hawks like the Blue Dogs should shun federal funds specifically set aside for their districts.

Earlier in the year, the Blue Dog Coalition proposed a 2 percent cut in discretionary spending for each of the next three years.

“The earmark system is a symbol of a broken Washington,” said Michael Steel, a spokesman for House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio). “Anyone who is serious about fiscal discipline should join House Republicans in freezing earmarks and pushing for real reform.”

Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a group that tracks federal spending and compiled the earmarks in a spreadsheet, faulted Blue Dogs for chasing earmarks.

“Fiscal responsibility needs to start at home,” Ellis said. “It is difficult for them to wag the finger with one hand and have the other hand out for millions of dollars’ worth of earmarks. It undercuts your credibility.”

Blue Dogs such as Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-Md.), who is in a toss-up race, argue that the projects help their constituents and do not add to the deficit. They note the funds come from a pot of money already set aside for discretionary spending.

Kratovil, who sponsored the Blue Dog legislation that would cut spending by 2 percent each year, collected four earmarks worth more than $5 million in the two recently passed spending bills.

His spokesman dismissed GOP criticism. “Rep. Kratovil’s Spending Reduction Act would finally require Congress to make tough decisions about which priorities deserve funding and which should be cut,” said spokesman Kevin Lawlor.

“Given our fiscal outlook, he feels we can no longer avoid these tough decisions,” Lawlor added. “He has taken the same approach to the appropriations process, submitting requests only for the projects he believes are the most important priorities for the 1st district.”

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[Note to Frank: The 'pot of money' for earmarks didn't fall from the sky. It's money that, had it not been appropriated into that 'pot', would have REDUCED the deficit. Yeah, I know.. 'Somebody's going to spend it, so why not us..'-- Editor]