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Leslie Paige, a spokeswoman for the watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste, said refusing earmarks can be a difficult step for many lawmakers, particularly those in vulnerable districts.

''The way the system works is nobody wants to be the first to unilaterally disarm,'' Paige said. ''But this culture up here will only change when this small group gets on their high horse and says, 'We're not going to do it.' And there is safety in numbers.''

Cleaver understands the criticism of earmarks, but argues that most are for worthy projects. He points out that under new rules, lawmakers must now attach their names to their requests.

''These are battered-women shelters and veteran's programs, public safety and community development priorities,'' Cleaver said. ''I have secured these funds in as transparent a way as possible, making public every request of my office and every dollar received.''

McCaskill's fellow senator, Missouri Republican Kit Bond, defends earmarks as an effective means of bringing federal money to states.

''I believe we do a much better job of prioritizing money for Missouri than bureaucrats do,'' Bond said.

Those arguments aren't enough for Rep. Tom Price, a Georgia Republican who got three earmarks worth about $500,000 for his district in 2007 but plans to stop seeking earmarks from now on.

Price said he changed his mind last year after calling out a couple of colleagues for rewarding political allies through the earmark process.

''They said, 'Well, you all are no different, look at you.''' Price said. ''And I realized they had a point. For me to have credibility in leading on this issue, I must at this point say I will no longer request any new earmarks.''

So far, Price said, he has not heard any concerns back home that his stand could prevent him from helping his district while the old rules are still in place.

Kline, too, said pressure from local officials has not translated to opposition from constituents.

''I think the constituents here would rather have somebody who has recognized a problem and is taking action to fix it,'' he said.

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