(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Rep. Jason Chaffetz has decided to not seek earmarks for the 2011 budget year because spending by Congress is so excessive that he cannot justify pushing even worthy earmarks now. Chaffetz says he’s received 50 requests amounting to over $280 million to go towards earmarks, some that are legitimate projects. He unseated former Rep. Chris Cannon two years ago, in part by attacking Cannon’s earmarks. Chaffetz kept a vow not to seek any himself during his first year in Congress. But late last year, near the end of his freshman term, Chaffetz announced he would seek worthwhile earmarks with full transparency. He still attacked unfair, pork-barrel earmarks of others. On Wednesday, Chaffetz said while many worthy projects from his district had been submitted for his consideration, he decided not to push any to try to help hold down overall spending.