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Well of john edwards, buddy ellis, campaign chair, he died back in 2008. now, they claim that the money was a gift to john edwards and was in the no -- not in the form of a campaign contribution and that's really, bill, what's at the center of this case. what was the intent of that money. there was an advisory that was handed down by the federal election commission a little more than ten years ago, a fellow wanted to give $10,000 checks to candidates to say thank you very much for doing public service as opposed to going out there in the private sector and making more money, the fec advised th...

Which the house banned this year. so what's this all about? watchdog groups worry it's a backdoor way around the ban. the house armed services chaim cuts hundreds of millions of dollars from a variety of defense programs and put the money in a newly created pot dubbed "the mission force enharsment transfer fund." lawmakers are using it to pay for projects and policy proposals. to some it is a pet project slush fund. >> this never has never been in this bill before. it's certainly suspicious that it has occurred for the first time after earmarks have been placed under a moratorium, and it looks...

♪ ♪ ♪ it's memorial day, may 30th, 2011. president obama is at arlington national sepl tore. live pictures paying tribute to those men and women who gave their lives to defend our country. shortly the president will speak at arlington's amphitheater. his address live, as well as remarks from mike mullen and defense secretary robert gates. arlington national cemetery, 624 acres of hallowed ground, the final resting place for fallen troops from all of america's wars, including the most recent. the war dead from iraq and afghanistan are laid to rest in an area that's known as sec...

Added to a defense bill for unmanned vehicle technology thanks to congressman mo brooks who represents the district. that is probably going to go to your district and help your constituents. >> i can't say it is going to the fifth congressional district but i will say this, if that is a service we can offer to america, i'll be tickled pink. >> reporter: in this press release brooks boasted about getting more jobs for his district. that sounds like an earmark which the house banned this year. what's this all about? watchdog groups worry it is a back door way around the ban. house armed services...

Looks like lawmakers have found a way around the congressional ban on pork projects, taking advantage of a roughly billion dollars put aside in a special fund. so how's it work? cnn's senior congressional correspondent dana bash takes a look. >> reporter: red stone arsenal in northern alabama, home of army rocket and missile programs, it could get $2.5 million added to a defense bill to developed unmanned vehicle technology thanks to congressman mo brooks who represents the district. that is probably going to go to your district and help your constituents. >> i can't say it's going to go to th...