In Backing Murtha, Pelosi Draws Fire

In 2004, Murtha helped secure the grant. A few months later, the Appropriations subcommittee approved a $4.2 million earmark for the company.

Murtha may be the Democratic Party's consummate dealer in home-district spending. Taxpayers for Common Sense identified more than $103 million in earmarks in the 2006 defense spending bill that Murtha requested for his home district in southwestern Pennsylvania -- nearly $80 million of which cleared President Bush's desk.

"Hoyer gains his influence the 'regular' way," said Steve Ellis of Taxpayers for Common Sense. "He travels, and he raises money for his leadership [political action committee], which doles it out to help Democrats get elected. Murtha doesn't bother with that nicety. For years, he has used his powerful perch as the ranking Democrat on the defense appropriations subcommittee to dole out earmarks to build influence. Hoyer raises campaign cash; Murtha taps the taxpayer for influence."

Former congressman Chris Bell (D-Tex.) said yesterday that Murtha helped elevate Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (W.Va.) to the top Democratic spot on the House ethics committee, and that Murtha and Mollohan have worked to slow the ethics process to a crawl for much of the past two years.

As for the Abscam case, Murtha was not indicted and his conduct was cleared by the House ethics committee, but he did meet with FBI agents posing as Arab sheiks and, after refusing bribes on several occasions, appeared to leave open the possibility of doing business later. Hoyer has been criticized as well for his legislative dealings, especially for his close ties to lobbyists and business interests. But it is Murtha's record that Pelosi will have to defend, watchdog groups said yesterday.

Rep. Michael E. Capuano (D-Mass.), a Murtha supporter, said he was not aware of the ethical issues around the lawmaker, but said they will have little impact on Democrats as they gather Thursday to choose the next majority leader.

"The bottom line is, Nancy has decided what team she wants," Capuano said. "What members have to ask themselves is whether they want a unified leadership team or a fractured leadership team. That will make a difference in the next two years."

Hoyer and Pelosi have had a strained relationship since Hoyer competed with her in 2001 for the post of minority whip; Murtha managed her winning campaign. The urge to stay loyal to the presumed new Democratic speaker -- as well as to curry favor to obtain committee assignments -- will bring a substantial number of votes to Murtha, one of his supporters said.

Hoyer supporters continue to say he has more than enough votes to prevail, regardless of Pelosi's wishes. Rep. David E. Price (D-N.C.) said Pelosi timed her endorsement to come out after the votes were solidified, giving a nod to Murtha for the sake of loyalty but doing little to sway the election.

"This race is already a done deal," agreed Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah).

In the Senate, Democrats will elect new leaders today and Republicans will follow tomorrow. The top two Democratic leadership positions are set. Harry M. Reid (Nev.) will remain as party leader and Richard J. Durbin (Ill.) will remain as whip, but this time they will be in the majority, not the minority. A change is possible at the No. 3 slot, conference secretary. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (Mich.) holds that position, but Senate sources said she may surrender it for a seat on the Finance Committee.

It was unclear who would succeed her, but Senate aides said it probably would be another woman. Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.) will remain chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Among Republicans, Mitch McConnell (Ky.) is set to become Senate minority leader, moving into the vacancy left by the retiring Bill Frist (Tenn.). There could be a contest between two Southerners seeking to succeed McConnell as party whip. Senate insiders said Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) appears to have enough votes, but former majority leader Trent Lott (Miss.) was still seeking support yesterday.

Sen. Jon Kyl (Ariz.) is in line for the No. 3 post of Republican Conference chairman, now held by Rick Santorum (Pa.), who lost last week. Sen. John Ensign (Nev.) has agreed to chair the party's campaign committee, succeeding Elizabeth Dole (N.C.) after a disappointing election for the GOP.

Staff writer Charles Babington contributed to this report.