NEW DATA VISUALIZATION TOOLS DEMONSTRATE TOP FEDERAL EARMARKS RECIPIENTS

June 12, 2007

Contact: Gabriela Schneider 202-742-1520 ext 236

WASHINGTON, DC - The Sunlight Foundation today released an analysis by its Real Time Investigations team which graphically illustrates how Congress awarded earmarks in 2005 by agency, state and organization, as well as a searchable database of the earmarks and their recipients. Sunlight is also offering its standardized data in downloadable files, allowing researchers to further delve into the data.

Sunlight's new data show Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics as the top recipients of congressional earmarks in 2005 - collecting a combined total of $1.09 billion in federal funding.

"This kind of government giveaway to the biggest corporations without competitive bidding goes against the spirit of a funding process that is supposed to boost small businesses," said Sunlight's Senior Fellow Bill Allison. "This revelation also demonstrates the power of posting information online in graphically appealing ways that make it so compelling, and it shows what everyone expected - that earmarks go to the politically well-connected."

The research is based on an online database of 2005 earmarks posted by the Office of Management and Budget. Of the $18.9 billion in earmarks that were awarded, just under half - $9.3 billion - are funded Defense Department projects. The Department of Transportation was a distant second, with $3.2 billion in earmarks. The analysis is online here.

The top 20 corporate recipients of 2005 earmarks are all defense contractors. Of those, seven collected over $100 million each, including:

• Boeing Co: $457 million
• Northrop Grumman: $232 million
• Lockheed Martin: $206 million
• General Dynamics: $201 million
• Raytheon Co: $163 million
• BAE Systems: $142 million
• L-3 Communications: $124 million

Founded in January, 2006, the mission of the Sunlight Foundation is to strengthen the relationship between lawmakers and their constituents. Sunlight puts information and tools in citizens' hands so they can learn more about what Congress and their elected representatives are doing. Its ultimate goal is full transparency by Congress, its Members and staff will help reduce corruption, ensure greater accountability, and foster public trust in this vital institution of democracy.

Since its founding, the Sunlight Foundation has issued nearly $2 million to groups to digitize existing information about Congress and those that use Internet technology to further Sunlight's goals. Additionally, the Sunlight Foundation has fostered its own projects such as Congresspedia, OpenCongress.org and Congress' Family Business.