Bonner Pressed By Fox News on Earmarks, Appropriations
Monday, June 9th, 2008Here’s another round of criticism directly aimed at Rep. Jo Bonner on earmarks and being selected to the Appropriations Committee. Fox News interviewer Gregg Jarrett presses Bonner on earmarks, reform and the ethics of other members - including former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert.
Transcript below:
Jarrett: “President Bush challenged Congress on this issue in his last State of the Union address in January. But weeks, later when a GOP seat opened up on the Appropriations Committee, it did not go to Washington’s most tireless anti-earmark crusader Rep. Jeff Flake. Instead, Jo Bonner, a less senior Republican from Alabama, who’s been criticized for earmarking millions himself got the spot.”
Jarrett: “The abuse of earmarks has been a big issue and in fact many have said that may be one of the reasons why Republicans lost control of Congress. Do you agree?”
Bonner: “I do. It can be an addiction and it can be a cancer that can corrupt the process. Now, that said, all earmarks are not bad.”
Jarrett: “You’ve given earmarks – more than a $1 million to clients represented by lobbyists, who have in turn contributed thousands of dollars to your campaign. Do you think it’s right?”
Bonner: “Now, you’re question makes it suggests what I’ve done inappropriate or illegal.”
Jarrett: “I’m asking you. Is it inappropriate?”
Bonner: “It’s not illegal. And I don’t believe it is inappropriate.”
Jarrett: “Is it inappropriate?”
Bonner: “If you look at the balance of the contributions that I’ve received and probably most members of Congress – it’s come from individuals who live in our district and who support the philosophy of the member of Congress or the candidate who’s running for that seat.”
Jarrett: “So what does Congressman Bonner think of the cases we uncovered?”
Jarrett: “Dennis Hastert earmarked $207 million to build a highway out to rural land that Hastert bought up and once the president signed the bill – sold the property, making millions of dollars in profits. Is that wrong?”
Bonner: “Speaker Hastert has denied the facts that you’ve stated are accurate.”
Jarrett: “I looked at the records.”
Bonner: “If that is in fact true, then not only was it wrong, it would be indefensible.”
Jarrett: “Paul Kanjorski, member of Congress – earmarked $10 million over four years to a company that’s run by his family.”
Bonner: “If a member of Congress is personally benefiting or his or her family is personally benefiting then that may involve the Department of Justice in which case I can’t comment on it.”
Jarrett: “Why not you’re a public official. You can comment on anything you want to.”
Bonner: “I’m also on the House Ethics Committee and if the matter were to come before our committee for review, then I am not allowed to discuss that.”
Jarrett: “The Ethics Committee weighed on Congressman Ken Calvert. He set up a transportation center within two miles of seven properties that he owned. Right or wrong?”
Bonner: “Gregg, I’m not going to answer questions about members of Congress and what they have allegedly done.”
Jarrett: “Come on, isn’t this abusive? Isn’t this precisely what Americans hate?”
Bonner: “I understand the way you have phrased the question that would lead many people to say, ‘Absolutely.’ I’m not familiar with the circumstances, but let me just tell you, the 435 members of Congress – 420 of them, probably even more are not doing this for personal enrichment.”
Jarrett: “Bonner says he is calling for more transparency in earmarks and has personally cut his requests in half this year. His party has proposed a one-year moratorium on all earmarks.”
Bonner: “Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi – her leadership team would not meet us halfway on that.”