Meet Congress' "King Of Pork"
Congressman Jack Murtha Has Earmarked Millions For His District, But What's That Taxpayer Money Buying?
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WASHINGTON, April 4, 2008

Earmarks Linked To Campaign $$
Congressman Jack Murtha has steered billions of dollars in earmarks during his tenure in office. And as Sharyl Attkisson, campaign contributions are what drive this spending of taxpayers' dollars. | Share/Embed

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Stories: Oink! Book Has Congress' Biggest Porkers

(CBS) Congressman Jack Murtha is one of the most influential powerbrokers in Washington.

According to an estimate by Taxpayers for Common Sense, he's steered more than $600 million in earmarks to his Pennsylvania district in the past four years and $2 billion since 1992. But what's been good for Murtha and his district is not always good for taxpayers.

Top defense lobbyists recently flocked to a high-priced fundraiser at the Ritz in Virginia, all for Congressman John Murtha, the head of the House committee on military spending. This year alone, Murtha gave out nearly $160 million dollars in earmarks -- grants of money without the normal public review.

“Every private entity that received an earmark from Rep. Murtha gave him a contribution. A campaign contribution,â€