Earmarks steal money that should be going to help America's soldiers, says congressional candidate Doug Hoffman.
Last week Hoffman was criticized for pledging not to ask for any earmarks, also known as pork, if he's elected.
"Earmarks are bad for the economy, it's common sense, they lead to higher taxes and they increase the ever-growing deficit," Hoffman said in a statement.
But Hoffman said earmarks are bad for the military as well, including Fort Drum soldiers fighting overseas.
He said $2.6 billion from a 2010 defense bill was diverted for 778 earmark projects. The money came out of the Operation and Maintenance accounts largely used to fund troop training, repairs, spares and supplies for vehicles, weapons and ammunition, ships, planes, fuel and food, Hoffman said.
The earmarks the money went to instead included $25 million for the Hawaii Federal Health Care Network, $25 million for a new museum in New Orleans, and $20 million for the Edward M. Kennedy Institute.
Matt Burns, spokesman for the Dede Scozzafava campaign issued a statement:
"Doug Hoffman is totally out of touch, and it's obvious that he intends to put his special interest backers from Washington ahead of Fort Drum, military families and everyone else in the 23rd Congressional District. Doug Hoffman not only can't win, but now he's so desperate that he's making dangerous promises that will crush Central and Northern New York. Dede, on the other hand, intends to go to Washington and fight for every possible dollar for the district."
