The House’s most vocal critic of earmarks is making a bid for a seat on the committee that distributes funding for the member projects he so often attacks.

Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., has long argued for the elimination of earmarks; his legislative tactics have irritated leaders of the House Appropriations Committee from both parties.

In a letter to House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, dated Jan. 8, Flake makes the case that House Republicans should name him to the open seat on the appropriations panel, arguing that would help the GOP demonstrate its commitment to fiscal responsibility. The vacancy was created when Roger Wicker, R-Miss., was appointed to the Senate to replace GOP Sen. Trent Lott, who resigned Dec. 18.

Flake, now in his fourth term, currently sits on the Foreign Affairs and Natural Resources committees.

He has tried to strike earmark provisions from appropriations bills almost 100 times in recent years, offering floor amendments that were routinely rejected by sizable bipartisan majorities.

Boehner does not request earmarks himself, but he has not been a crusader on the issue like Flake.

“By the time these bills come to the House floor the die is pretty much cast,” Flake said in his letter to the GOP leader. “This doesn’t have to be the case at the committee level.”

In a short piece Tuesday about the possibility of Flake joining the powerful panel, Wall Street Journal editorial writers — harsh critics of congressional earmarks — acknowledged they are “suckers for lost causes.”

“This is like Carrie Nation hitting fraternity row on toga night, but then a little spending temperance is exactly what Republicans need,” the Journal wrote.

Brian M. Riedl, a budget expert at the conservative Heritage Foundation, said Flake’s chances are “sadly small.”

He characterized the panel as “a pro-spending special interest in Congress rather than a representative committee based on knowledge of appropriations.”

“There is a litmus test for being a member of the Appropriations Committee,’’ Riedl said. “Historically you must vote for high spending to remain on the committee.”

At least five other Republicans are vying for the coveted spot. “It’s a position that naturally draws significant interest, but no decisions will be made until members return to Washington and discuss it fully,” said Kevin Smith, Boehner’s spokesman.

Many lawmakers are eager to join the Appropriations panel not only because of its critical role in allocating federal spending but also because its members tend to get a hefty share of earmarks for their districts.

Flake said that the participation of all 29 GOP panel members in securing earmarks means that they are all subject to logrolling. And that means insufficient oversight.

“Wouldn’t it make sense to have at least one Republican member of the Appropriations Committee who doesn’t earmark?” Flake wrote.

Flake made the case that putting him on the spending panel could have a positive electoral impact for Republicans.

“You have often said that ‘we have to earn our majority back.’ I agree,” he wrote. “But I think we can all agree that earning our majority back is going to take more aggressive action on earmark reform than we took during the first session of the 110th Congress.”

Still, Flake’s relentless attacks on earmarks have not won him many friends, particularly among appropriators.

Though his appointment appears unlikely, it would elate budget watchdog groups that share his concern about earmarks and government spending.

“We’re delighted that he’s going to try it,” said Leslie Paige, media director for Citizens Against Government Waste. “He’s a congenital optimist. He never gives up. We wish him good luck.”

The Republican Steering Committee, composed of 27 members, will be responsible for selecting Wicker’s replacement, though GOP leaders will have more sway than the average member: Boehner will have five votes and House Minority Whip Roy A. Blunt, R-Mo., has two votes. The selection process isn’t expected to get into full swing until lawmakers return next week.

Other GOP members said to be vying for the slot include Henry E. Brown Jr., of South Carolina, Jo Bonner of Alabama, Michael R. Turner of Ohio, Tom Cole of Oklahoma and Dave Reichert of Washington.

First posted Jan. 8, 2008 4:52 p.m.