The Washington Post's report included earmarks by four Texans in Congress:
Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth:Granger was listed for helping "obtain $51.9 million in earmarks toward a project to make over downtown Fort Worth and reroute the Trinity River. Until 2010, Granger co-owned a condominium building with her son about a half-mile south of the project. Her son is director of the group in charge of the project."The building is at East Seventh and Jones streets."As a Member of Congress who fully supports infrastructure projects, the congresswoman has always given her support to qualified programs in full compliance with the House Ethics Committee and the rules of the House of Representatives," her office said in a statement to the Star-Telegram. "All of her private investments fully comply with both the spirit and the letter of the law."Granger has said that a judicious use of earmarks makes sure that elected officials, rather than bureaucrats, direct federal spending."If we stop earmarks from Congress, all that happens is the administration makes the decisions," she has said. "In the past, when we didn't have earmarks in the House bill and the administration made the decisions, the majority of funding went to the five largest cities in the U.S."Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis:Barton was listed for helping "secure about $2.98 million toward widening about three miles of the U.S. 287 bypass in Ennis, where [he] owns two homes. Barton said his homes have no bearing on his support for the earmarks. The work, he said, is critical to traffic safety."On Tuesday, Barton told the Star-Telegram, "I was surprised that The Washington Post cherry-picked the final three-mile section of a more-than-20-year-long, 50-mile project and tried to insinuate that this portion of a public project was done for my private gain."Everyone in Ennis, including me, lives within a couple of miles of the bypass, and I don't own or have a stake in any commercial property anywhere near the highway. There is absolutely no personal ulterior motive with U.S. 287, and to imply otherwise is absolute hogwash."I have been working since I was first elected to improve the quality of this highway and increase access to the southern part of the Metroplex. I wish The Washington Post would've taken the time to talk to drivers and residents in our area so they could hear the true benefits of U.S. 287. This project connected Fort Worth with I-45 and in the process improved safety for drivers and allowed for economic and residential growth in Ellis and Navarro" counties.Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio:Smith helped secure $950,000 toward road improvements near Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, the Post reported. The earmark will improve three congested intersections near the base, including one a few blocks from Smith's home.Smith told the Star-Telegram on Wednesday: "The City of San Antonio and Bexar County requested this funding for a public purpose. Improvements to the Rittiman/Harry Wurzbach Corridor are a top priority for San Antonio because of the traffic congestion and outdated infrastructure along the main roadway leading to Fort Sam Houston."Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes:In 2009, Hinojosa obtained a $665,000 earmark to help widen a road next to a 3.7-acre commercial property that his family partnership was developing and near the family food processing plant in Mercedes, The Post reported. Hinojosa said he saw no conflict in securing an earmark for work next to his property or the plant.-- Compiled by Anna M. TinsleyHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
