Jamie Radtke on Government Reform

FactCheck: Yes, George Allen voted for 52,000 earmarks

The Citizens Against Government and Waste has determined there were 52,319 earmarks in the budgets that Allen voted for while he was in the Senate.

Radtke's claim ignores that Allen did not vote for each earmark individually. They were attached to about four dozen major appropriations bills Allen supported during his time in the Senate.

Even critics of earmarks don't entirely blame Allen for voting for appropriations bills that kept the government operating. As we have previously said, Radtke's statement is accurate but requires clarification. We have rated it Mostly True.

Line-item veto to get rid of earmark spending

Radtke said she intends to continue pressing the issue for the duration of the primary campaign.

No more blank checks for Congress

Identify constitutionality in every new congressional bill.

The Contract from America, clause 1. Protect the Constitution:

Require each bill to identify the specific provision of the Constitution that gives Congress the power to do what the bill does.

Audit federal agencies, to reform or eliminate them.

The Contract from America, clause 5. Restore Fiscal Responsibility & Constitutionally Limited Government in Washington:

Create a Blue Ribbon taskforce that engages in a complete audit of federal agencies and programs, assessing their Constitutionality,

Moratorium on all earmarks until budget is balanced.

The Contract from America, clause 9. Stop the Pork:

Place a moratorium on all earmarks until the budget is balanced, and then require a 2/3 majority to pass any earmark.