Congressman seeks Murtha reprimand

DETROIT (MCT) — Michigan congressman Mike Rogers called on his House colleagues Friday to reprimand one of its most prominent and senior members, Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., who Rogers said threatened to retaliate against him for opposing a federal facility in Murtha's district.

Rogers, a Brighton Republican, said Murtha threatened him in an exchange on the floor of the House chamber Thursday evening, promising to cut off funding for special projects in Rogers' district.

Rogers said Murtha, in the presence of several other members, said: "You will not get any earmarks now and forever."

Rogers called it a "flagrant abuse" of the House code of conduct.

Murtha is chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and one of the leading Democratic critics of the Iraq war.

Murtha's office declined to discuss the incident specifically, but released a statement Friday afternoon saying Democrats and Republicans are treated fairly and equally by his committee.