Scott Kleeb on Government Reform

Democratic Challenger

Johanns wastefully spent $20M studying crawdads in Australia

Kleeb blamed the nation's budget deficit and economic woes on the Bush administration, which once included Johanns. One example, Kleeb said, of wasteful spending under Johanns was $20 million spent on travel by USDA employees. That expense included a trip to Australia to study crawdads.

Johanns said if Kleeb were serious about changing the leadership, he should campaign against Washington veterans like U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. "I doubt he'll do that," Johanns said.

Source: 2008 Nebraska Senate debate reported in Omaha World-Herald Sep 16, 2008

More disclosure and transparency in appropriations

We must require more disclosure and transparency in Congressional appropriations to limit pork barrel spending. We must ensure that government spending is more accountable, more efficient, and disbursed only after an open and competitive bidding process. And finally, we must give the Treasury Department the ability to investigate and close tax shelters and offshore tax havens so as to help close the $350 billion tax gap between taxes owed and taxes paid. Source: Campaign website, www.ScottKleeb.com May 14, 2008

Earmarks have been abused

Kleeb on Earmarks: Supports earmarks but says they have been abused by both Republicans and Democrats. Bring more transparency to the process, including a requirement that senators should put their names on all earmark requests. Says there should be all earmarks should be voted on. Source: By Robynn Tysver, Omaha World-Herald May 4, 2008

Shine light on lobbyists' ties to candidates via Internet

Pledge to support PAYGO legislation to control the national deficit
Pledge to shine light on wasteful earmark spending by posting full details on the Internet in advance of key votes
Pledge to shine light on lobbyists' ties to candidates by posting full details on the Internet of fundraising contributions and fundraising assistance provided to a candidate by a lobbyist or lobbyist group
Pledge to make it illegal for the federal government to award no-bid contracts
Pledge to restrict gifts and travel from lobbyists and special interest groups for members of Congress

Source: Kleeb's Declaration of Independence from Special Interests Oct 3, 2006

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Page last updated: Dec 03, 2008