Congressman McCaul Seeks to Reform System by Introducing Bill to End "Monuments to Me"

(Washington D.C.)-- On April 10, Congressman Michael McCaul introduced H.R. 5771 to end the practice of Congress using the taxpayers’ money to fund projects named after current Members of Congress. 24 other Members of Congress joined the bill as original cosponsors.

"The American people are outraged by the waste and abuse they see in Congressional earmarks. One of the most egregious of these practices is Members using taxpayer money to name the projects after themselves," said Congressman McCaul. "My bill is very simple. It prohibits federal funds from being used for any project named after a sitting Member of Congress."

This legislation has been well received by congressional watchdog groups that fight against wasteful spending in Washington and has been endorsed by National Taxpayers Union and Americans for Prosperity. Ed Frank, the Vice President of Public Affairs for Americans for Prosperity said, "Going back more than 200 years, there's never been a shortage of vanity in Washington, but that doesn't mean that taxpayers should fund it…Congressman McCaul's legislation may not make him the most popular guy on Capitol Hill, but it certainly makes him a friend of the taxpayer, which is far more important."

H.R. 5771 has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.