John Murtha news stories on Newser

Democrats Retain Murtha Seat in Congress

Tue, 18 May 2010 22:05:35 CDT

Democrats will retain control of the seat held for decades by the late Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha after winning a special election to fill the final months of his term. Both parties viewed the contest as a test for the fall. Murtha aide Mark Critz defeated businessman Tim Burns. The...

What to Watch in Today's 4 Primaries

Kevin Spak — Tue, 18 May 2010 07:35:47 CDT

Four states go to the polls today, and the results will have huge implications. Politico breaks down what to watch for in each race, and we, as always, provide the cliff notes: Pennsylvania: Arlen Specter—the longest serving senator in state history—is in real danger of losing a primary...

Bad News for Dems: Murtha Seat Now a 'Toss-Up'

Kevin Spak — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:55:00 CST

John Murtha’s death has left Democrats with another fight on their hands. Last night the Cook Political Report changed its rating of the race to “toss-up,” one of 50 Democratic-held seats bearing that rating. Voting isn’t far off either; Ed Rendell has 10 days to schedule a special election, which...

Good Riddance to Rep. Murtha

Rob Quinn — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:18:00 CST

Right-leaning blog Uncoverage isn't shy about speaking ill of the dead when the deceased in question is Rep. John Murtha. The Pennsylvania Democrat was regularly ranked as one of Congress' most corrupt politicians and stuffed millions of dollars into pork projects for his district, including the barely used John Murtha...

Murtha Leaves Huge Shoes ... and Big Chance for GOP

Will McCahill — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:53:00 CST

The death today of Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha leaves some huge shoes to fill, and presents a great chance for Republicans. The Atlantic rounds up what’s being said about the Democrat, and what the future might bring: He was the “king of pork.” Murtha used his position as chairman of...

John Murtha Dead at 77

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:02:08 CST

Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, a retired Marine Corps officer who became an outspoken critic of the Iraq war, has died after suffering complications from gallbladder surgery. The powerful Democrat, a close ally of speaker Nancy Pelosi, was 77. In 1974, Murtha became the first combat veteran of the Vietnam...

US Pays $400 a Gallon for Gas in Afghanistan

Kevin Spak — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:06:09 CDT

As debate over the Afghan war heats up, expect Congress to heavily quote a new statistic from the Pentagon: $400. That’s how much the US pays, on average, for every gallon of fuel put into its planes and combat vehicles in Afghanistan, military officials recently told the House Defense Appropriations...

Murtha Institute Hands Money to Murtha Friends

Kevin Spak — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:08:00 CDT

The John P. Murtha Institute for Homeland Security may look like a mostly deserted basement below an Indiana University of Pennsylvania dormitory, but over the years it’s overseen $50 million in federal funds—almost all of it going to Murtha’s friends and industry allies, a Washington Post investigation finds. The...

Congress Relents, Slashes Unwanted Jet Order

Kevin Spak — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:16:33 CDT

House leaders are slashing their $550 million order for eight new executive jets for use by senior government officials, caving to pressure from fellow lawmakers and the Pentagon, Politico reports. John Murtha’s Defense Appropriations Subcommittee had more than doubled the Pentagon’s original request for $220 million to buy four new...