Boyer's earmarks scrutinized

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- An independent watchdog group claimed U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., is one of the top earmarkers in the U.S. Congress.

Taxpayers for Common Sense said budget requests in bills filed for 2008 indicate that Hoyer, who worked $96 million worth of pet projects into the 2008 federal budget, is one of the top 10 earmarkers in the House for 2008, The Washington Post reported Monday.

Ryan Alexander, president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, told the newspaper that leaders in Congress are responsible for a disproportionate share of approved earmarks, showing "these decisions are based on political muscle rather than project merit."

Hoyer defended the earmarks he placed in the budget, saying they fund important causes including cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, supporting local military bases, buying equipment for police and improving the state's schools.

"We made very substantial progress in making sure that earmarks, which I support, are transparent," Hoyer said in the Post report.