Reichert, McMorris to forgo earmarks

Two members of Washington's congressional delegation, Republicans Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Dave Reichert, have decided to refrain from requesting earmarks for one year. Both said they approved of the general system of using members of congress to bring home needed Federal funds to their constituents, but felt they needed to act on their own to protest the corrupt system in place now. Yesterday the Senate killed a proposed bill that would create a temproary moratorium on earmarks for all D.C. legislators. The vote was rejected by a count of 71-29, with all three leading Presidential candidates voting yea, and both of Washington's Senators voting nea.

Reichert even released a video on youtube to discuss the issue.

"My constituents did not elect me to conduct business as usual," said Congressman Reichert in the video. "That's why I'm taking this action to set an example to push the leaders in both parties to recognize that enough is enough; that we must come together and we must come together and we must reform congress and create an earmark system that works for the people."