Earmarks dot omnibus spending bill

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- A budget watchdog group says earmarks in this year's spending bill moving through the U.S. Congress account for $6.6 billion of the bill's $630 billion total.

Taxpayers for Common Sense said the senator who sought the most pet projects was Alaska Republican Ted Stevens -- on trial for allegedly failing to disclose more than $250,000 in gifts and home renovations. Stevens requested 39 projects totaling $238.5 million, The New York Times reported Friday.

Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Pa., sought 30 items totaling $111 million, including $24.5 million for the National Drug Intelligence Center in his hometown of Johnstown, the organization said.

Earmarks are just a fraction of "what the administration wants to bail out those rich guys in New York," Murtha said.

The spending measure passed the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday and the Senate is expected to approve it soon.

No earmarks for the major presidential candidates, Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Democrat Barack Obama of Illinois, are in the bill, the Times reported.

McCain has criticized earmarks for years. While Obama obtained earmarks in previous years, in March he endorsed a one-year moratorium so Congress could re-examine the way earmarks are awarded.