Republicans in Washington complained today of an “apparent backroom deal” worth $726,000 to three airports in U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak’s district, suggesting the funding may have somehow swayed his vote for health care reform legislation.

Problem is, the same round of improvement grants — worth millions of dollars to some airports – went to facilities all over the nation, including those in districts of some of the staunchest opponents to the reform bill.

Stupak’s office also noted today that the round of grants for airports in the 1st congressional district in Michigan — the second largest congressional district east of the Mississippi — were less than those made there the year before.

“It’s absurd to think I would change my vote for a tow truck and a fence to keep deer from walking onto the runway of an airport in my district,” Stupak said.