McCaskill turns a deaf ear to earmarks

[proud2BlibKansan]

Until now, Sen. Claire McCaskill’s unwavering stand on earmarks — pet projects funded by individual members of Congress — has amounted to little more than a curiosity.

“I am one of 12 United States senators who has not requested earmarks, one of only two Democrats,” the freshman senator from Missouri declared recently in Kansas City.

But curiosity has begun to morph into outright frustration from fellow Democratic lawmakers back home. They say her principled position is costing Missouri millions.

“As a minister,” said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat from Kansas City, “I just want to make sure she remembers that the Lord loves a cheerful giver.”

Lawmakers don’t typically run from money, but McCaskill said the process is so objectionable that she has no choice.

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