Ex-Gov. Romney Backs Anti-Earmarking Effort

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is launching an online petition to support efforts to ban legislative earmarks.

The move by the 2008's Republican presidential contender backs an initiative of U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint.

The South Carolina Republican endorsed Romney's first White House campaign and is being sought among conservatives contemplating a run in 2012.

Romney says on his website that Washington can't control debt and deficits "until the practice of cramming earmarks into spending bills is stopped."

Earmarking is the longtime Washington practice in which lawmakers insert money for home-state projects like road and bridge work into spending bills.

On Monday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky reversed course and said he would support an earmark ban.