FLASHBACK: Newt Gingrich Loved That Pork
Former Speaker Newt Gingrich's organization, American Solutions for Winning the Future, has put forth an economic recovery plan. They suggest "eliminating Congressional earmarks and wasteful pork-barrel spending." Yet as Speaker of the House, Gingrich openly used well-placed pet projects to boost the GOP's electoral prospects.
Gingrich's American Solutions Proposes Eliminating Pork-Barrell Spending
American Solutions Proposes "Eliminating Congressional Earmarks And Wasteful Pork-Barrel Spending." As part of its "12 American Solutions for Jobs & Prosperity," American Solutions for Winning the Future proposes: "Control Spending So We Can Move to a Balanced Budget. This begins with eliminating Congressional earmarks and wasteful pork-barrel spending." [American Solutions, accessed 5/15/09]
- Newt Gingrich Serves As Chairman Of American Solutions. Newt Gingrich founded and serves as chairman of American Solutions for Winning the Future. [American Solutions, accessed 4/28/09]
In 1996, Gingrich urged GOP lawmakers to consider the political benefits of including "district items" (a.k.a. pet projects) in appropriations bills.
As Speaker, Gingrich Used Pork-Barrel Spending To Help The GOP's Political Needs. As reported by the Associated Press: "House Republicans will be scrutinizing spending bills this year for the political good they might do for GOP lawmakers seeking re-election, as well as for their impact on California, the biggest prize in the presidential campaign. Those are two of the seven criteria House Speaker Newt Gingrich is using in a series of meetings with the chairmen of the subcommittees drafting routine spending bills. 'Are there any Republican members who could be severely hurt by the bill or who need a specific district item in the bill?' is one of the 'proposed principles' drawn up by Gingrich's office." [Associated Press, 6/5/96; emphasis added]
