Lobbyists defend requests for funding

WASHINGTON, March 12 (UPI) -- As the U.S. House imposed one more restriction on earmarks, private companies and lobbyists tried to explain why their projects are indeed important.

Representatives for private interests said many of their requests created win-win situations for taxpayers and weren't rewards for lobbying or a timely contribution, The Washington Post reported Friday.

"I understand what the debate is about. But I think that, as Congress reviews the policy on appropriations, there's an opportunity to differentiate those like ours, which are looking for a win-win use of taxpayer dollars," said Benson P. Lee, president and chief executive officer of Technology Management in Cleveland, which received a $500,000 earmark to commercialize a biofuel system.

House Democrats this week said they were ending earmarks to private companies, but left open an opportunity for municipalities and non-profits to request them. Not to be outdone, House Republicans said Thursday all 178 members will not seek any congressional earmarks this year, even those for non-profits and municipal authorities in their districts.

House Minority Leader John A. Boehner said the GOP action was a demonstration of fiscal restraint, even if it doesn't lead to reduction in federal spending.

Roughly $16 billion in earmarks are inserted into the annual bills that fund the federal government, several good-government groups have estimated.

The White House has been quiet about earmark-banning efforts, but on Thursday Office of Management And Budget Director Peter Orszag said the House action "will help to reduce abuses and bring more transparency to earmarks."