President Obama today ordered that $473 million in "unspent earmarks" be made available to states for other construction projects.

"My administration will continue to do everything we can to put Americans back to work," Obama said in a statement. "We're not going to let politics stand between construction workers and good jobs repairing our roads and bridges."

The 8.3% unemployment is a major issue in the election contest between Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

Earmarks are special projects pushed by specific members of Congress for their districts.

In a statement, the administration says it has identified $473 million in unspent earmarks between fiscal years 2003 and 2006.

The law allows Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood "to make the unused funds available for eligible surface transportation projects."

Said LaHood: "We are freeing up these funds so states can get down to the business of moving transportation projects forward and putting our friends and neighbors back to work."

The administration also provided a list of available funds by state.