Obama vows to reduce pork barrel spending

WASHINGTON -- President Obama vowed Wednesday to reduce pork barrel projects in federal spending, even as he planned to sign a budget bill containing billions of dollars for lawmakers' pet projects.

Obama said all future projects known as "earmarks" must have a "legitimate and worthy public purpose" and be subject to competitive bidding procedures, saying special deals for specific companies have been "the single most corrupting element of this practice."

Obama spoke as he prepared to sign a $410 billion appropriations bill to keep the government running through September. The bill contains 7,991 earmarks totaling $5.5 billion, according to the Republican staff of the House Appropriations Committee. The watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense put the total at $7.7 billion.

"I am signing an imperfect omnibus bill because it's necessary for the ongoing functions of government," Obama said. "But I also view this as a departure point for more far-reaching change."

Obama added that most of the bill's spending — "99%" — is for "needed investments" to help the nation's economy.

Obama said his administration has made progress on earmark reform, noting there were none of them in the $787 billion stimulus bill he signed. He also said that when "done right," earmarks can "direct federal money to worthy projects that benefit people in their districts."

Yet they can also be abused, Obama said. He said earmark requests should be posted on congressional members' websites and be scrutinized in public hearings.

"This piece of legislation must mark an end to the old way of doing business and the beginning of a new era of responsibility and accountability that the American people have every right to expect and demand."

Obama's reforms build on changes initiated by Republicans in 2006 and strengthened by Democrats two years ago. In new steps — outlined in concert with House Democratic leaders Wednesday morning — the House Appropriations Committee will submit every earmark to the appropriate executive branch agency for a review.