politicsdaily.com | For the Congressional Tea Party Caucus, a group of Republican House members with allegiance to the grassroots conservative movement, cutting government spending is supposed to be an article of faith.

But the 52 members of the newly formed caucus sought 764 earmarked spending projects for their states and districts, valued at just over $1 billion in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, according to the Citizens Against Government Waste's "Pig Book."

The figures, disseminated by the National Journal's Hotline, showed that Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) led the parade with requests for 69 earmarks totaling more than $78 million. After that, it was Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-La.), who asked for more than $65 million for special projects. Earmarks -- money designated for specific projects not included in the executive budget and often approved without going through the full budgetary process -- are often derided as pork-barrel spending, hence the "Pig Book."

"It's disturbing to see the Tea Party Caucus requested that much in earmarks," said Citizens Against Government Waste Vice President David Williams. "This is their time to put up or shut up, to be blunt. There's going to be a huge backlash if they continue to request earmarks."

Since Congress is not finished with its appropriations work, the money has not yet been spent and could still be pulled back, depending on the outcome of legislative action on 2010 spending bills.

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) founded the Tea Party Caucus for lawmakers who were supported by the aggressively conservative movement or share its goals of limited government and reduced federal spending. Bachmann was not on the earmark list.