The "Top 10" of Big Defense

Ever wonder who US defense industry lobbyists like to spend their hard-earned PAC money on?

Well, now you can find out. I've spent the last few hours researching PAC spending so far this year by the seven largest US defense companies (Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Raytheon, L-3 Communications and BAE Systems), which I'll use as my index. The disclosure statements at the Federal Election Commission's web site are valid through May 31.

Here is the Top 10:

1. Rep. Silvestre Reyes ($31,000); 2. Sen. Carl Levin ($30,000); 3. Rep. Steny Hoyer ($28,500); 4. Rep. James Moran ($24,000); 5. Sen. Jack Reed; 6. Sen. James Inhofe; 7. Rep. John Murtha ($22,500); 8. Rep. Ike Skelton ($21,000); 8-tie. Rep. Jerry Lewis ($21,000); 10. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger; 10-tie. Rep. James Clyburn.

The biggest surprise to me is Congressman Reyes's popularity in the defense industry. Who knew?