Akin Responds to Earmark Allegations
For Immediate Release February 7, 2012
No back-room deals; only Constitutional uses of taxpayer money.
ST. LOUIS – Earmarks have now become synonymous with special interest deals; while this kind of gray area politics is common in Washington today, Congressman Akin in no way condones or participates in these last minute, secretive deals inserted into bills in the dark of night. He has always been open about his appropriation requests, and they have always been approved during the committee process.
Akin has, at times, supported the legitimate defense and infrastructure project appropriations that better our country and our state. One of these infrastructure projects was the expansion and improvement of Highway 141 in Town and Country, MO. Many county, state, and federal officials supported this project long before Congressman Akin was ever elected to federal office. He is proud to have supported it, and stands by his decision to do so. It adds great value as a connector route, but adds no value to any residential property in the area – including that owned by his parents.
“The improvement to Highway 141 added no value to my parents’ property whatsoever,” Akin said. “The improvement to 141 was something that’s been needed for well over twenty years and has been in the planning stages all of that time with full support from local and state elected officials. It is a necessary improvement to the infrastructure of the St. Louis area, completing one of the several major north/south corridors that runs between four or five major east/west highways.”
###
