Pork for an Invisible Airport?
The Republican Study Committee did some great work investigating this pork project. The word "offensive" doesn't even begin to explain how taxpayers should feel about it.
According to the list of earmarks in the Committee Report for the Financial Services Appropriations Bill, the very first request listed is for the ”Abraham Lincoln National Airport Commission.” Sounds noble – until you realize it's for an airport that doesn't exist run by a congressional staffer on Rep. [Jesse Jackson Jr's] payroll.
According to its website, the Airport Commission “has a mandate from its members to plan, develop, finance, construct and operate a commercial airport with passenger and cargo facilities near University Park, Illinois.” In short, the Commission is dedicated to developing a third airport in the Chicago area.
Specifically, this earmark would direct $231,000 – taken from taxpayers’ pockets across America – for “Minority and Small Business Development and Procurement Opportunities.” It seems rather curious that an airport that doesn’t yet exist would need to develop opportunities for minorities & small businesses.
This is AFTER Rep. Jackson said quite candidly, "I won't pursue federal funds for the Abraham Lincoln National Airport." You can read more here. Congressman John Campbell will be offering an amendment today to prohibit funds from being used for this non-competitive, lack-of-oversight "invisible" pork.
UPDATE: Erick at RedState has more on this, including: "On the floor of the House, Jesse Jackson, Jr. refused to speak in favor of his earmark unless he was allowed to speak after everyone else had spoken. Rep. Campbell offered to let Jackson refute Rep. Campbell's points on how bad the earmark is, but Jackson would not do so unless he got the last word."
