Zeldin Proposes "Transparency of Congress" System

Calls on Bishop to Stop Flip-Flopping, Agree to Earmark Moratorium

SHIRLEY, NY (03/04/2008)(readMedia)-- The Republican candidate for New York’s First Congressional District today attacked what he described a “culture of inefficient and borderline dishonest governance in Congress,” while outlining his support for an online system to cast more light on federal earmarks, government contracts and campaign contributions.

“I strongly support an immediate and all-encompassing moratorium on earmarks until Congress can find a solution to its out of control pandering with projects like peanut storage houses in Georgia, catfish research in Alabama, and bridges to nowhere in Alaska,” said Lee Zeldin, the GOP candidate for the 1st C.D. against Congressman Tim Bishop. “My opponent must immediately do the same. Likewise, Congress must show that federal contracts are disseminated irregardless of campaign contributions. Anything else should be criminal.”

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.

Bishop previously supported more accountability and transparency in government through earmark reform, but has since completely flip-flopped and now regularly issues press releases bragging about earmarks to some of his top campaign contributors, like Walter Gezari, President of Greenport based STIDD Systems.

Zeldin lauded the work of the Seattle Times in detailing every earmark tied to the 2007 defense budget, the companies who benefitted from the earmarks and any related campaign contributions. One example of the Times’ extensive research is available here: http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/favorfactory/lawmaker.php?id=H2NY01067

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.

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