U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye’s support for earmarking federal spending has not changed despite President Barack Obama saying he’s open to working on a moratorium on the practice.

During a postelection news conference yesterday, the Democratic president lamented not moving more quickly on curtailing earmarks. He said he could work on a moratorium like that proposed by Republican Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia.

Asked to respond to Obama’s comments, Inouye said in a statement today that he still believes congressionally directed spending is an important part of Congress’ constitutional duty.

The Democratic chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee also says earmarks have been vital to the economic infrastructure of Hawaii and the rest of the nation.