Where public projects meet private interests

David S. Fallis, Scott Higham and Kimberly Kindy

EXCLUSIVE | Thirty-three members of Congress have steered more than $300M in earmarks and other provisions to dozens of public projects that are next to or near the lawmakers’ own property, according to a Washington Post investigation. Under ethics rules Congress has written for itself, this is both legal and undisclosed.

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Public projects, private interests

Mapping the earmarks

Earmarks near lawmakers' property

One senator's story

Downtown Tuscaloosa revitalization

Fearing spending by allies of GOP, Obama gives blessing to a super PAC

Fearing spending by allies of GOP, Obama gives blessing to a super PAC

Dan Eggen

He will support Priorities USA Action, an organization founded by two former White House aides.

Romney tries to beat back possible Santorum surge in trio of states

Romney tries to beat back possible Santorum surge in trio of states

Philip Rucker

Returning to campaign trail in Colorado, he also trains his focus on Obama, saying “he has failed.”

The Post’s View

No place for discrimination

No place for discrimination

Editorial Board

Gays need President Obama’s help to ensure a level workplace.

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Egypt’s plan to charge 19 Americans highlights activists’ tense relationships

Egypt’s plan to charge 19 Americans highlights activists’ tense relationships

Ernesto Londoño and Peter Finn

Allegation that U.S. trumpets democracy to destabilize regimes is familiar in some parts of world.

Low-skill workers struggling despite recent drop in nation’s joblessness

Low-skill workers struggling despite recent drop in nation’s joblessness

Michael A. Fletcher

Encouraging data on employment market mask the reality that many people have stopped looking.

Annapolis sailor is on an audacious, around-the-Americas odyssey — alone

Annapolis sailor is on an audacious, around-the-Americas odyssey — alone

Dave Sheinin

Matt Rutherford in home stretch, but hardly home free, as he tries to make non-stop circumnavigation.

Opinions

Where is the love?

Where is the love?

Eugene Robinson

Mitt Romney leaves voters cold, and Republican leaders should be worried.

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Top Headlines

SILVER SPRING, MD - FEBRUARY 3: Luis Cervantes hand polishes a slab of granite. Counter Intelligence Inc., in Silver Spring, is one of the largest suppliers of granite countertops in the area. (Photo by Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

Why U.S. homeowners want a piece of rock in age of granite countertop

Monica Hesse

Once-humble stone has become an aspirational must-have in kitchens all across the land — for reasons other than that it’s easy to clean.

Myths about a heart-healthy diet

Myths about a heart-healthy diet

Robert Davis

Here’s what’s believable — and what’s not — regarding familiar claims about right food to eat.

Don't Miss . . .

FILE--Elizabeth II wears the bejeweled Imperial Crown and carries the Orb, in left hand, and Scepter with Cross as she leaves Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953, at the end of the Coronation Ceremony. When Elizabeth II inherited the British throne in 1952, royal privacy was sacrosanct. Fifty years later, she and her family are regularly pilloried in the press; any tourist with dlrs 16 can get into Buckingham Palace in August, and the details of her children's marital disasters are global press fodder.(AP Photo) ORG XMIT: NY190

Queen celebrates Diamond Jubilee

PHOTOS | Britain’s Elizabeth II has ruled for 60 years.

Singer Katy Perry walks on sidelines before the New York Giants play the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis, Indiana, February 5, 2012. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL ENTERTAINMENT)

Celebrities at the Super Bowl

PHOTOS | Musicians, actors and athletes that made appearances in days leading up to the game.

Featured Videos

Jury selection to begin in U-Va. murder trial

Jury selection to begin in U-Va. murder trial

Jury selection begins in the University of Virginia murder trial of former lacrosse player George Huguely, accused of killing his girlfriend, Yeardley Love. (Feb. 6)
Gingrich: Romney 'doesn't represent profound change' (1:30)

Gingrich: Romney 'doesn't represent profound change' (1:30)

Campaigning in Colorado, the day before that state's primary, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich criticized rival Mitt Romney saying Romney doesn't represent the "fundamental change" needed in Washington. (Feb. 6)
M&Ms Super Bowl ad: 'Just My Shell' (0:30)

M&Ms Super Bowl ad: 'Just My Shell' (0:30)

One M&M shows it all off in the candy's Super Bowl commercial.
Sixty-two gun Salute for Queen Elizabeth II (1:29)

Sixty-two gun Salute for Queen Elizabeth II (1:29)

Queen Elizabeth II marks 60 years on the throne Monday. The queen's Diamond Jubilee will be feted with a series of regional, national and international events throughout 2012. (Feb. 6)
Giants beat Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI (1:18)

Giants beat Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI (1:18)

The Giants have their fourth Super Bowl title following Sunday's 21-17 win over the Patriots. Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning engineered a game-winning 88-yard drive that ended with Ahmad Bradshaw's six-yard touchdown run with :57 remaining. (Feb. 5)
Eli Manning named Super Bowl M.V.P. (1:40)

Eli Manning named Super Bowl M.V.P. (1:40)

Eli Manning won his second Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award Sunday night after guiding the New York Giants to a 21-17 comeback victory over the New England Patriots. The AP's Ted Shaffrey reports from Indianapolis. (Feb. 6)
Blast kills husband and two sons of missing Utah mom (1:18)

Blast kills husband and two sons of missing Utah mom (1:18)

Authorities in Washington state say they think Josh Powell, the husband of a Utah woman who's been missing for two years deliberately, set off a house explosion today that killed him and his two young sons on Sunday. (Feb. 5)
Rick Santorum visits sweater vest factory (1:03)

Rick Santorum visits sweater vest factory (1:03)

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum toured a clothing manufacturer in Minnesota that makes his trademark sweater vests. (Feb. 5)

Columns and Blogs

A surplus to keep

A surplus to keep

Vincent C. Gray

D.C.’s mayor says the city should bolster its rainy-day fund.

Carolyn Hax

Freedom in five bars or less

Erik Wemple

Roland Martin and homophobia

Alexandra Petri

Pete Hoekstra’s bad ad

Featured Photo Galleries

Foods that are good and bad for your heart

An examination of common myths about heart health.

Day in photos

Frigid weather across Europe, kayaking, Charles Dickens’s birthday and more.

Eye on entertainment

Dionne Warwick, Denzel Washington, Roberta Flack, Michael Bolton and other celebrities.

Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee celebration

The Queen celebrates 60 years on the throne.

Halftime at the Super Bowl

Elaborate musical shows by top performers highlight the NFL's biggest game.

The Puppy Bowl

Animal Planet offers up its eighth year of Super Bowl counter-programming.

The Giants win Super Bowl XLVI

The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots.

Occupy Wall Street in D.C.

U.S. Park Police check protesters at Freedom Plaza, resulting in one arrest.

Featured Discussions

Super Bowl Hangover

Best and Worst Super Bowl Ads

Best and Worst Super Bowl Ads

CHAT WRAP | Creators of Volkswagen’s ‘Dog Strikes Back’ took reader questions about the real Super Bowl stars: the ads.

Full chat schedule

Virginia Politics

VOTE | Handgun purchases

VOTE | Handgun purchases

Should Virginians be limited to one handgun purchase per month?

More conversations

Politics

Secret money is funding more election ads

Dan Eggen

More than a third of the advertising tied to the presidential race has been funded by nonprofit groups that will never have to reveal their donors.

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Comics

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Crickler

Sudoku

Kakuro

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PlayFour

TV listings

Entertainment News

Dierks Bentley, on a role with ‘Home’

Dierks Bentley, on a role with ‘Home’

Chris Richards

Proud patriot. Dedicated dad. Party bro. Bentley’s songs sound like he’s living them right before your ears.

Good, bad news for NBC’s Super Bowl

Good, bad news for NBC’s Super Bowl

Lisa De Moraes

Game was the most-watched television broadcast ever. But what about that halftime show incident?

Lifestyle

Doctors often avoid safe solutions

Doctors often avoid safe solutions

David Brown

Cardiologists have safe, cheap, low-tech treatments for chest pain. Why not use these tools more often?

Check blood pressure in both arms

Check blood pressure in both arms

Linda Searing

Measuring blood pressure in both arms can reveal differences indicative of potentially serious ills.