Two Wisconsin Congressmen have differing opinions about new US House rules meant to expose pork projects in federal bills. Republican Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) helped push for the rule change, which requires lawmakers to identify pork projects that are earmarked in legislation. Ryan says the rule will help to identify pork barrel spending added to bills at the last minute, and give lawmakers more oversight.
However, Congressman Dave Obey (D-WI) says the new rules don't provide any real reform. Obey says they were constructed to protect some of the special interest pork added to tax bills. Ryan says the earmark reforms are part of a larger effort to change the way business is done in the House.
The rule change was made because reform legislation has stalled in the US Senate.
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