"I am signing an imperfect omnibus bill because it is necessary for the ongoing functions of government," said Obama.
"But I also view this as a departure point for more far-reaching change . . . Let there be no doubt: this piece of legislation must mark an end to the old way of doing business."
The $410-billion bill will allow the U.S. government to continue operating through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30 and includes "needed investments in line with our urgent national priorities," Obama said.
Less than two per cent of the bill's funding goes to pet projects added by members of Congress to benefit their legislative districts.
"Done right, earmarks give legislators the opportunity to direct federal money to worthy projects that benefit people in their district, and that's why I have opposed their outright elimination," Obama said.
Going forward, Obama said legislators must prove earmark projects "have a legitimate and worthy public purpose." If they don't, the White House will "seek to eliminate it" from future spending bills.
Among Obama's proposals to rein in earmark spending is a requirement for individual lawmakers who promoted pet projects to list them on their congressional websites in advance. The move is aimed at preventing Congress from sneaking legislative pork into spending bills at the last minute.
Any earmark destined for a private company should also be subject to competitive bidding, said Obama.
"The awarding of earmarks to private companies is the single most corrupting element of this practice, as witnessed by some of the indictments and convictions we have seen," he said.
But while Republicans blamed Democrats for adding 9,000 pet projects, nine of the Top 20 "earmarking" senators were Republicans.
"I find it ironic that some of those who railed the loudest against this bill because of earmarks actually inserted earmarks of their own," Obama said.
More scrutiny of pork-barrel projects: Obama
"But I also view this as a departure point for more far-reaching change . . . Let there be no doubt: this piece of legislation must mark an end to the old way of doing business."
The $410-billion bill will allow the U.S. government to continue operating through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30 and includes "needed investments in line with our urgent national priorities," Obama said.
Less than two per cent of the bill's funding goes to pet projects added by members of Congress to benefit their legislative districts.
"Done right, earmarks give legislators the opportunity to direct federal money to worthy projects that benefit people in their district, and that's why I have opposed their outright elimination," Obama said.
Going forward, Obama said legislators must prove earmark projects "have a legitimate and worthy public purpose." If they don't, the White House will "seek to eliminate it" from future spending bills.
Among Obama's proposals to rein in earmark spending is a requirement for individual lawmakers who promoted pet projects to list them on their congressional websites in advance. The move is aimed at preventing Congress from sneaking legislative pork into spending bills at the last minute.
Any earmark destined for a private company should also be subject to competitive bidding, said Obama.
"The awarding of earmarks to private companies is the single most corrupting element of this practice, as witnessed by some of the indictments and convictions we have seen," he said.
But while Republicans blamed Democrats for adding 9,000 pet projects, nine of the Top 20 "earmarking" senators were Republicans.
"I find it ironic that some of those who railed the loudest against this bill because of earmarks actually inserted earmarks of their own," Obama said.
More scrutiny of pork-barrel projects: Obama