WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- New Democrats in the U.S. Congress, who campaigned against Republican earmarks last year, are benefiting from earmarks, USA Today reports.

Appropriations bills in the House and Senate include at least one project for each of the 49 freshman lawmakers, the newspaper said. The total tab comes to $351 million or an average of $7.6 million for each senator or congressional representative in the group.

Its analysis shows Democratic leaders appear to be thinking strategically. Eight of the 10 top recipients of earmarks defeated Republican incumbents in 2006 and five are in districts that went for President Bush in the last presidential election.

"I think I got a boost from being on that list," said Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., who was the sole sponsor of $10.5 million in pet projects, putting him ninth among newcomers in the House.

Because Bush has not signed most of the appropriations bills, most of the earmarks have not become law.