A congressional committee has voted to eliminate funding for Johnstown’s National Drug Intelligence Center, extending a years-long battle over its future.
But that does not necessarily mean the downtown center is in jeopardy, especially because U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, wields significant influence over federal defense money.
“We’ll try to work it out, as we have over the past four years,” Murtha spokesman Matt Mazonkey said Tuesday.
The Hill, a Washington newspaper, reported that the House Intelligence Committee voted to strip all earmarks – a term that denotes funding for specific projects inserted into legislation – from the 2009 intelligence authorization bill.
One of the casualties was $23 million Murtha earmarked for NDIC, the newspaper reported.
With earmarks increasingly viewed as wasteful spending, the move was applauded by a watchdog group.
“We shouldn’t be making decisions on our intelligence-gathering priorities based on the pet project request of powerful lawmakers,” Steve Ellis of Taxpayers for Common Sense told The Hill.
But because 2009 budget negotiations will continue, it is quite possible that funding for NDIC could reappear in the coming months.
It is the latest step in an ongoing debate about the intelligence center, which critics have labeled as an expensive, largely redundant facility that should be eliminated.
But some lawmakers have fought to keep NDIC – and its hundreds of jobs – in Johnstown. They argue that the center does important work and even contributes to the fight against terrorism.
Murtha has been the center’s biggest backer.
“People realize the value that NDIC has within the drug-intelligence community,” Mazonkey said.
For three straight years, Murtha, who chairs the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, has thwarted Bush administration proposals to close NDIC.
Last year, the center also received support from U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and Arlen Specter. The Senate eventually shot down an amendment that would have eliminated NDIC funding.
However, President Bush again called for the shutdown of NDIC in his 2009 spending plan.
On the day the president’s budget was released, Mazonkey said Murtha would “continue to fight any politically motivated attempts to close the center.”
Local News
NDIC in limbo
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
