Congressman Dreier has been a leader on the issue of earmark transparency in Congress, and he is now a leading co-sponsor of legislation that will fundamentally reform the earmarking process.  Dreier, along with the entire GOP Membership, has adopted the guidelines contained in the Wolf-Kingston earmark reform legislation.  These include –

• No more “monuments to me.”  Lawmakers should not use taxpayer money to fund projects named after themselves.
• No more “airdrops.” The process by which Congress spends the American people’s money should be completely transparent.
• No more “fronts” or “pass-through” entities.  Taxpayers funds should not be laundered through “front” operations that mask their true recipients.
• Members of Congress who request earmarks should put forth a plan detailing exactly how the money will be spent and why they believe the use of taxpayer funding is justified.
• To improve accountability, Members of Congress should require outside earmark recipients to put up “matching funds” where applicable so that the American taxpayers don’t bear all the risk for such expenditures.
• The Executive branch should be held accountable for its own earmark practices. 

Dreier said the Democrats should join the GOP in seeking fundamental change in the earmarking process.  “The earmarking system is in need of serious reform and the GOP is acting on that need.  I’m proud of the earmarks I have sought, but I believe in absolute transparency.  I have released my requested earmarks, as well as the earmarks I have supported that have been approved.  I will continue to fight for greater transparency and reform in this process.”