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.

View the lawmakers

Read their responses to
our findings

Mapping the earmarks

Earmarks near lawmakers' property

One senator's story

Downtown Tuscaloosa revitalization

Longtime critic of ‘secret’ billionaires’ role, Obama now backs super PAC

Longtime critic of ‘secret’ billionaires’ role, Obama now backs super PAC

Dan Eggen

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

Romney tries to fend off Santorum surge as three states hold contests

Romney tries to fend off Santorum surge as three states hold contests

Philip Rucker

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

Russian foreign minister arrives in Syria as shelling continues

Russian foreign minister arrives in Syria as shelling continues

Alice Fordham, Will Englund and Debbi Wilgoren

As diplomatic crisis worsens, France, Italy recall ambassadors.

White House intern shares her story of affair with President Kennedy

White House intern shares her story of affair with President Kennedy

The Reliable Source

Mimi Alford chronicles her 18-month relationship when she was a 19-year-old White House intern.

Staff removed at L.A. school during child sex abuse investigation

Staff removed at L.A. school during child sex abuse investigation

The Associated Press

The entire staff will be replaced at an elementary school where two teachers are accused of lewd acts.

Eight foods that may affect your heart: The answers may surprise you.

Eight foods that may affect your heart: The answers may surprise you.

Robert Davis

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

Luis Cervantes hand polishes a slab. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Post)

Luis Cervantes hand polishes a slab. (Sarah L. Voisin/The 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.

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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Remember when we had a winter?

Two years after Snowmageddon, we look back at your photos of the storm that paralyzed the D.C. area.

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

Josh Powell planned deadly fire for some time

Josh Powell planned deadly fire for some time

The Washington state man who killed his two boys and himself Sunday when his house went up in flames planned the crime for some time, authorities said Monday. Josh Powell had long been a "person of interest" in his wife's disappearance. (Feb. 6)
Gisele under fire for remarks after Patriots loss (3:08)

Gisele under fire for remarks after Patriots loss (3:08)

Super model Gisele Bundchen is under fire for comments she made after husband Tom Brady's New England Patriots lost the Super Bowl. The Insider's Kevin Frazier was on the scene and speaks to the "CBS This Morning" co-hosts about the controversy.
L.A. school staff removed during abuse investigation (1:59)

L.A. school staff removed during abuse investigation (1:59)

School officials in Los Angeles will remove the entire staff of the elementary school where investigators are looking into two separate cases of alleged child abuse.(Feb. 7)
Fishermen rescued from Bay of Green Bay (00:34)

Fishermen rescued from Bay of Green Bay (00:34)

Sheriff's officials have rescued seven men and a 3-year-old child who were stranded on the bay of Green Bay because of a large crack in the ice. (Feb. 6)
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.

Columns and Blogs

No place for discrimination

No place for discrimination

Editorial Board

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

Carolyn Hax

Freedom in five bars or less

Erik Wemple

Roland Martin and homophobia

Alexandra Petri

Pete Hoekstra’s bad ad

Featured Photo Galleries

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.

Foods that are good and bad for your heart

An examination of common myths about heart health.

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

Virginia Politics

VOTE | Handgun purchases

VOTE | Handgun purchases

Should Virginians be limited to one handgun purchase per month?

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CHAT | Tuesdays With Moron

CHAT | Tuesdays With Moron

Chat at 11 a.m. ET | Post humor writer Gene Weingarten is online to take your questions and abuse.

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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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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.