"When you request federal funds … you ought to be proud about it or don't request it," Campbell said. "If you can stick money in a bill for something and no one can really ever find out that you put it in there, that leads to abuses."
He was asked to request money for 70 projects, and he only submitted seven of those requests, he said. Campbell's standard? The money has to go to a public agency, it has to have a federal connection and it must have public benefits.
Campbell said he thinks the majority of House members will support the rule change, but he admitted it has some drawbacks.
A House rule is a bit softer than a bill, and a majority of members can vote to override it. And while it may slash pork, the rule isn't expected to cut the federal budget.
"Reforming earmarks is not the way to reduce federal spending," Campbell said. "Total earmarks are less than 1% of federal spending."
Congress is also expected to decide this month on one of the earmarks Campbell did request — funding for restoration of the Upper Newport Bay. He asked for $18 million, and it was trimmed to $5 million in a water appropriations bill. The House and Senate must reconcile separate versions of the bill before the funding will be final.
ROHRABACHER CHALLENGE
Democratic Congressional candidate Jim Brandt, a former Marine who is challenging 46th District Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, will discuss his views on immigration at a forum Sunday in Costa Mesa.
Brandt said Wednesday he was struck by Rohrabacher's recent comments about supporting Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor, who wants city police to be trained for immigration enforcement.
