We have always applauded Sen. Coburn for his aggressive exposure of pork spending in the federal government. It is admirable that there are still a few politicians willing to stand up to the special interests. But in this case, Sen. Coburn will lose the public relations battle in his principled war against wasteful spending. In this age of hyper political correctness, questioning spending that pertains to investigations of murder cases from the civil rights era, is a definite no win situation.

by Jerry Mitchell

One U.S. senator is holding up legislation that would create a cold-cases unit to track down unpunished killers from the civil rights era.

"The idea that one senator can hold up important legislation like this is outrageous," said Richard Cohen, president of the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery. "It is incredible to me that our government can be held up at the whim of one man."

Despite support from the Bush administration, the Justice Department, the House, which passed Bill 422-2, and most senators - including Mississippi's Thad Cochran and Trent Lott - U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, a Republican from Oklahoma, put a hold on the legislation, effectively killing it on the Senate side.

He said he objects to the legislation because of its price tag of $13.5 million a year, believing only $1.6 million is needed. His Web site contains links labeled "Stop Secret Spending" and "Pork Busters."

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Emmitt Till Blog: One Senator Blocks Emmett Till Cold Case Bill

Labels: Pork, Sen. Tom Coburn