King of the Hill

(Fox News) - It is estimated that Democratic Congressman John Murtha has steered about $2 billion worth of earmarks to his western Pennsylvania district since joining the House Appropriations Committee in 1992. Taxpayers for Common Sense ranks him far in front of all other congressional earmarkers.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that dozens of contracts funded by Murtha's committee were not sought by the military or federal agencies they were intended to benefit. One Murtha-backed firm is under federal investigation for allegedly diverting public funds to develop software for commercial purposes. Murtha's earmarks for his district have topped the $600 million mark in each of the last four years.

By the way — Taxpayers for Common Sense has Republicans in the number two and three slots for earmarks — Florida's C.W. Bill Young at two — and California's Jerry Lewis in the third spot.