Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) explains efforts by Republicans to end earmarks. On Monday, November 15, 2010, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said he would support a moratorium on earmarks that Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) has been pushing as a resolution. Sen. James Coburn (R-OK) says he will try to force the Senate to hold a public vote on earmarks on the first bill the lame-duck session takes up. Rep. Flake is a longtime opponent of earmarks.