WASHINGTON – Following a vote by Senate Republicans to keep the ban on earmarks, Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), James Risch (R-ID), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Rand Paul (R-KY), Rob Portman (R-OH), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Braun (R-IN), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Ben Sasse (R-NE) issued the following joint statement:

“We’re encouraged our GOP colleagues upheld the ban on earmarks. Still, we will remain vigilant against any efforts to bring back earmarks – including efforts that ignore conference rules – so that in the Senate, the American people are respected and their tax dollars remain free from this widely abused and wasteful spending practice.”

Earlier this week, a coalition of twenty Republican Senators signed a pledge to uphold the ban on earmarks. Read the pledge here.