Point Of Order Questioning Refusal To Disclose Details Of Back Room Deals

I raised a Point of Order on the Senate floor along with Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, today regarding the possible violation of Senate rules in refusing to disclose a list of the earmarks included in the Reid health care bill and the names of the Senators who requested each earmark. Senate Rule #44, created by the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007, requires bill sponsors to publically disclose earmarks. Senate Democratic Leadership continues to refuse to do this. The motion was rejected on near party line basis.

We’ve found that Leader Reid has not complied with his own public disclosure rules. Since my friends on the other side of the aisle aren’t being straightforward with the American people, we’ll just have to guess: Which Senator was ‘bought’ with the Cornhusker Kickback? Which Senator objected to the ‘Botax’? Who could possibly have given special benefits only to workers in Libby, Montana? Which Senator gave that ‘Gator Aid’ to Florida? Which Senator asked for the sweetheart deals for insurance companies? We need to force politicians to be honest with the American people.