Ryan Sought Lots of Federal 'Pork' for Folks Back Home

Source: CNBC/AP

Rep. Paul Ryan, a fiscal conservative and critic of federal handouts, has sought for his constituents an expansion of food stamps, stimulus money, federally guaranteed business loans, grants to invest in green technology and money under President Barack Obama's health care reform law.

Such requests are at odds with the Republican vice presidential candidate's public persona as a small-government advocate and Tea Party favorite who has pledged to tighten Washington's belt. (Read More: Paul Ryan and His Budget Proposals)

The Associated Press reviewed 8,900 pages of correspondence between Ryan's congressional office and more than 70 executive branch agencies that it obtained under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act. They showed that for 12 years as a member of Congress, Ryan has sought from the federal government money and benefits that in some cases represent the kinds of largess and specific programs he is now campaigning against.

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He's also supported federal money to help a Kenosha, Wis., community center cover health care costs of low-income families under Obama's health care reform law — the very program he and Romney say they will repeal if they win the White House.

Ryan spokesman Brendan Buck said AP's findings represented a member of Congress helping people in his district. "Part of being a congressman is vouching for constituents and helping them navigate the federal bureaucracy when asked," he said.

Read more: http://www.cnbc.com/id/49387561/