U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) and U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) are pushing for changes to the congressional appropriations process.

Aderholt, who is considering running against U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) as chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, called for party leaders to delay a scheduled April 9 Steering Committee meeting to select the new chairman in a letter to his GOP colleagues. In the letter, he also described the current spending process as “fundamentally flawed."

"A change in the appropriations Committee Leadership, however, presents a perfect opportunity to change the process," Aderholt wrote. "The bottom line? We cannot continue to go down the same path and expect a different outcome. The Appropriations process must change. It starts with transparency and trust."

“Instead of hastily selecting a new Appropriations Chair, I believe that now is the time to focus on correcting the process and developing our theory of government on how we will manage our responsibilities,” he added. “Our Conference must work together to define a clear direction forward before choosing a Chairman to lead us there.”

In a tweet, Tuberville echoed Aderholt's call for change and said the process was "fundamentally broken."

"The congressional appropriations process is fundamentally broken, and major reform is needed," the senator wrote. "Leadership in both the House and the Senate need to take notice. Thank you for speaking out, Robert."

To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email trent.baker@1819news.com.

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