Defense bill addition fuels earmark debate

WASHINGTON, May 21 (UPI) -- The White House's assault on earmarks heated up when a U.S. House leader added a provision to the defense authorization bill when it was before his committee.

Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., House Armed Services Committee chairman, added a provision weeks ago that would countermand an executive order President George Bush signed barring federal agencies from funding earmarks added in committee or by conference, The Hill reported Wednesday.

"Fundamentally, the committee does not believe and does not acknowledge the president's assertion that report language should have no weight," a committee spokeswoman said.

The insertion caught the attention of Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who said he plans to offer an amendment that would strike it when the authorization bill is considered on the House floor, the Washington publication said.

A spokesman for Taxpayers for Common Sense, a watchdog group, said Democrats are using the provision to undercut Bush's power before he leaves office.

"They are basically throwing the glove down on this issue," said TCS vice president Steve Ellis, predicting lawmakers could introduce language in other bills, "and they are challenging him to sign this bill, which negates (the executive order) or veto the defense authorization bill over this provision."