Billions in earmarks added to defense bill

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- A watchdog organization says members of the U.S. House of Representatives have added $3.07 billion in earmarks to the 2008 defense appropriations bill.

A database compiled by Taxpayers for Common Sense reveals the chairman of the defense appropriations subcommittee, Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., secured the most earmarked dollars followed by the panel's ranking member, Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla., The Hill reported Friday.

The group said Murtha secured 48 earmarks totaling $150.5 million while Young added 52 earmarks totaling $117.2 million.

TCS spokesman Keith Ashdown said although the number of earmarks is less than half of those in last year's defense bill, his group expects to find more.

"There are less (earmarks), but it is early and we have not looked at everything," Ashdown said.

Other earmarks added to the bill include $95 million by Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., $44 million by Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., and $37.3 million by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.