Republican Congressman John Shadegg today called for an immediate moratorium on earmarks.

“Spending taxpayer money on personal projects for political gain and self-aggrandizement is indefensible. Politicians in Washington are addicted to earmarks, and we’re here today to say it’s time to kick the habit. Every dollar we spend comes from hardworking American taxpayers, or worse, is borrowed from a foreign power, creating a debt that is passed on to our children and grandchildren. Members of Congress must start spending each dollar as though it is coming out of their own pockets,” Shadegg said at an anti-earmark rally in Washington, DC.

“We must establish serious oversight and complete transparency. While determining the best way to go about doing this, both the House and Senate should quit cold turkey and invoke an immediate moratorium on all earmarks before another cent of taxpayer money is recklessly spent.”

The statement elicited a response from Democrat Bob Lord campaign manager Andrew Eldredge-Martin, who charged that Shadegg had opposed bipartisan ethics reform, voted for tax subsidies for oil companies, and was facing an FEC complaint for funneling cash through his leadership PAC in violation of federal contribution limits.

“The bottom line is that Washington's Congressman John Shadegg just doesn't get it on ethics reform or energy independence, but he does get tons of cash from big oil and other special interests," Eldredge-Martin said.