Democrat Sam Rasoul, who is challenging incumbent congressman Bob Goodlatte for a seat in the House of Representatives, said Wednesday that if elected his first bill would prohibit the use of funding earmarks.

Rasoul's "Earmark Eradication Act of 2009" would amend a 1974 law by removing the ability of members of Congress to request targeted federal spending.

Recent examples of earmarks requested by Goodlatte include $9.5 million for the Roanoke River flood control project and $245,000 for improvements to the historic farmers market in downtown Roanoke.

Rasoul and independent Janice Lee Allen are challenging Republican Goodlatte for his seat in Virginia's 6th Congressional District.

Goodlatte, meanwhile, spent Wednesday in Washington, working with other Republicans to press for a vote on energy legislation.

During a news conference at the Roanoke Valley War Memorial at Lee Plaza, Rasoul said the legislation would not affect funding for those projects so much as the process for securing them.

The practice of directing federal spending through earmarks has been slammed by critics who say lawmakers load up otherwise unrelated legislation with pet projects.

Rasoul, who was introduced by Roanoke Treasurer Evelyn Powers, said he'd work to remain fiscally conservative and would caucus with the Blue Dog Democrats, a group of 47 members of Congress with moderate or conservative views. The group includes Heath Shuler of North Carolina and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota -- who has co-sponsored legislation and appeared with Goodlatte.

In Washington, Goodlatte and other Republicans spoke on behalf of the American Energy Act, which would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and offshore regions to oil drilling. Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives adjourned for five weeks in early August, but many Republicans stayed.