President Obama on Wednesday urged Congress to pass earmark reform that makes the process more accountable and transparent. Earmarks are targeted spending projects in appropriations bills that do not go through the formal authorization process.

He proposed legislation that encompasses three principles: First, earmarks should have a "legitimate and worthy" public purpose; second, earmarks ought be posted on lawmakers' websites in advance; and third, each earmark should be subject to public hearings, where members "will have to justify their expense."

"The future demands that we operate in a different way than we have in the past," Obama said. "Let there be no doubt: The piece of legislation must mark an end to the old way of doing business."

See text of his remarks here:

Remarks of President Obama on Earmark Reform.pdf

                                                                                                                     --Bara Vaida