State GOP criticizes Van Hollen’s record on pork

U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen: Getty Images PhotoThe state Republican Party is criticizing U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Kensington) for being one of the top “porkers” in the U.S. House.

An analysis conducted by the Citizens Against Government Waste, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit group, determined Van Hollen was the second of the “top three porkers” in the U.S. House.

“This is the Chris Van Hollen that 8th District residents have grown accustomed to seeing, and it is time for a change. Van Hollen and the Democrats in Congress have refused to keep their promise to reign in wasteful spending,” state Republican Party Chairman Jim Pelura said in a statement.

The state GOP accused Van Hollen of flip-flopping on the issue, and claimed the lawmaker made the following remarks in 2006: “We need to put an end to the rampant abuse of the earmark process. Too many Members of Congress have used the system to benefit their friends and special interests at the expense of the public interest.”

Van Hollen, who is chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will face Steve Hudson (R) in his 2008 re-election bid. Van Hollen office’s did not respond immediately for comment.

UPDATE - July 9 2008

U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Kensington) responded in an email to PolitickerMD.com:

"I have long supported full funding of No Child Left Behind and urged my colleagues to fulfill Congress’s promises with respect to education. The Arts in Education, Education for Democracy, National Writing Project, Reading is Fundamental, Close Up and advanced teacher credentialing programs are all authorized by that law. Calling them pork is like calling the entire No Child Left Behind Act pork and does a disservice to our teachers and students around the country. I will continue to advocate for funding for our education laws so Congress keeps its promise to our schools."