Politicians from Obama on down enjoy ‘monuments to me’ with help of your stimulus funds

Robert C. Byrd Scholastic Recognition Award

Byrd Science Center, Shepherd University

Robert C. Byrd Technology Center at Alderson-Broaddus College

Robert C. Byrd United Technical Center

Robert C. Byrd Visitor Center at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park

While Sen. Byrd has the most egregious record, many a lawmaker has done the same. A partial list of the more unfortunate uses of taxpayer money:

Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at the City College of New York

Harkin Grants: A grant program for local school remodeling in Iowa

Harkin Wellness Grants: A grant program for promoting healthy lifestyles in Iowa

Thomas R. Harkin Global Communications Center (CDC building)

Arlen Specter Headquarters and Emergency Operations Center (CDC building)

Mitch McConnell Park in Bowling Green, KY

John D. Dingell Drive

Jack P. Murtha Highway

James E. Clyburn Golf Center

James E. Clyburn Pedestrian Overpass

James E. Clyburn Intermodal Transportation Center

Congressman David Dreier Water Treatment Facility in Baldwin Park

Don Young ‘s Way

The Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center

The Lewis Center for Educational Research

The Doyle Center for Manufacturing Technology

The Kanjorski Center office building in Pennsylvania

The C.W. Bill Young Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases

In 2009, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) was successful in passing a ban on all “monuments to me” which applied to all 2009 military and Veterans Affairs construction spending for the last quarter of fiscal year 2009 and funding of all “monuments to me” for the first fiscal quarter of 2009.

McCaul’s Communications Director, Mike Rosen, told the Daily Caller, “We live in an era of distrust of Washington and Congress. The Congressman believes such naming gives the perception that leaders in Washington are insulated and out of touch.”

He continued that, though Congressman McCaul was unsuccessful in getting the 2009 law to apply to these projects indefinitely, he has proposed additional legislation to that effect. The current Democrat majority, Rosen said, has made it clear that they have no intention of dealing with the this year’s budget or spending bills and are actively preventing debate over the Congressman’s proposed legislation.