One U.S. Senate Is Enough

Ernest Istook / September 07, 2009

Even before Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) passed away last week, Congress approved a $5.8 million “planning and design” earmark for the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the Senate, which would include creating a full-size replica of the Senate chamber. It would be built at the University of Massachusetts, adjacent to the JFK Presidential Library. This summer, Kennedy’s colleague, Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., added another $12.6 million earmark (still pending in Congress) to help build the memorial.

Honoring the late Senator is understandable, but there are limits on what’s a proper use of tax dollars.

According to The Boston Globe: “The center will be a shrine to the Senate, with homage to Kennedy, just as the building next door is a showcase for the presidency, with the focus on his brother John.”

Citizens Against Government Waste complained, “This pet project has already received millions of dollars from the health care industry and organized labor. Taxpayers should not be responsible for helping the project reach its $50 million fundraising goal.” (more…)