Zeldin Continues Anti-Pork Assault

Opponent Ignores Earmark Moratorium Proposal, Leads LI CODEL Porkers

MASTIC, NY (04/03/2008)(readMedia)-- The endorsed Republican candidate for New York's First Congressional District today reiterated his concerns regarding Congressional spending and expressed disappointment that his opponent has changed tunes on earmark reform.

"I'm a staunch supporter of an immediate and all-encompassing moratorium on earmarks until Congress can find a solution to its out of control pandering with projects like Parisian fruit-fly research," said Lee Zeldin, running to represent the Eastern Long Island district. "My opponent (Congressman Tim Bishop) must immediately do the same. Likewise, Congress must stop pandering to donors with taxpayer dollars."

Bishop leads Long Island's Congressional delegation in pork spending at an astounding $32 MILLION.

Zeldin echoed the statement of Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake, who said that research has shown that bringing home pork to the districts is often a misguided and miscalculated maneuver. Flake describes bringing home pork as a thinly veiled attempt to ensure reelection, while noting that oftentimes the biggest pork culprits end up getting voted out of office.

"If my opponent thinks that securing earmarks for his cronies will ensure reelection, he's sorely mistaken," said Zeldin. "The hardworking people of this district pay too much in taxes and will no longer tolerate subsidizing Congress' wasteful ways."

In order to bring more accountability and transparency to government, Zeldin supports the creation of an online system under federal oversight detailing earmarks, government contracts, and related campaign contributions.

"He (Bishop) promised earmark reform in his last campaign and is now disseminating lucrative earmarks to preferred donors," said Zeldin. "Politicians should never get away with making false promises."

-30-

Zeldin served as an aide to State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle. The Shirley resident studied at the University at Albany, graduated from Albany Law School, and earned his commission through Army ROTC. He was a paratrooper, prosecutor and magistrate with the 82nd Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps. In the summer of 2006, he was a JAG attorney deployed to Iraq. He is currently an attorney at Raiser & Kenniff on Long Island.

For more information on Lee’s campaign please visit us at www.zeldin08.com

Paid for by Lee Zeldin for Congress