Omnibus Bill Represents Defining Moment for Republican Party

Washington - The upcoming vote on the 3,565 page Omnibus bill promises to be a defining moment for the Republican Party.

While the Democrats have reduced the price tag on the massive Omnibus bill, they have since added an additional $11.2 billion in emergency and contingent spending above the President’s request. The bill also contains over 8,000 earmarks, bringing the total number of earmarks for FY 2008 to over 10,000, compared with just 2,658 in 2007, and uses spending gimmicks to hide at least $14 billion in extra spending.

“This is no time for vacillation,” said Club for Growth President Pat Toomey. “If the Republican Party has any intention of reclaiming the mantle of fiscal responsibility, its leaders in the House and Senate will have to rally the troops to vote against the bill when it comes to the floor.”

After the spanking they received in the 2006 election, many Republicans vowed to return to the principles of fiscal responsibility and limited government that have long defined the party. “At this critical moment, the Club for Growth urges GOP House Leader John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to remind Republican members what is at stake here,” Mr. Toomey added. “The Club for Growth will be watching how they vote. Failure is not an option.”

The Club for Growth will be key-voting a "NO" vote on the Omnibus bill to be included in our Congressional Scorecard for the 110th Congress. The scorecard provides a comprehensive rating of how well or how poorly each member of Congress supports pro-growth, free-market policies, and will be distributed to our members and to the public.