Mitt Romney Calls to End Congressional Earmarks

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney called on Thursday to end congressional earmarks.

With our national debt skyrocketing past $15 trillion, it is a moral imperative to rein in government spending, Romney said on Thursday. Passing a permanent ban on earmarks is an important step toward securing our future and restoring fiscal sanity in Washington.

Following GOP rival Rick Santorums sweep of contests in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri on Tuesday, Romneys camp has been hammering him for backing earmarks during his years in both chambers of Congress. The Romney team has also been hitting former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich for his record on earmarks during his two decades in Congress.