Democratic districts win greater share of transportation grants despite GOP's House majority

The Obama administration in September awarded the biggest share of almost $600 million in economic stimulus-based transportation grants to projects in districts with a Democratic congressman. That's even though Republicans represent 34 more House districts across the country.

An analysis by The Associated Press shows that applicants from Democratic-held districts won 48 percent of the so-called TIGER grants for road, bridge and rapid transit projects, rail line repairs and port upgrades. Just 33 percent of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grants were awarded to GOP-held congressional districts. The rest went to projects that cross district lines.

Republicans claim GOP-represented areas have been shortchanged every year since TIGER grants were established in 2009 as part of President Barack Obama's $840 billion economic stimulus package.