Skip to content

Hoyer Expects Dicks to Take Murtha’s Chairmanship

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Tuesday he expects Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) to take over the chairmanship of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense vacated by the death Monday of Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.).

Hoyer called Dicks “an extraordinarily able Member of Congress” with decades of experience on the committee under Murtha.

“I think he will be able to fill that role,” Hoyer said.

Hoyer said that the special election to replace Murtha in Congress could take place May 18 — the same day as Pennsylvania’s regularly scheduled primaries — and that Democrats would fight hard to retain the seat.

Hoyer also praised Murtha for his long tenure, in particular his service to his constituents in a hard-hit portion of Pennsylvania. “He worked very hard on their behalf,” Hoyer said.

Recent Stories

Joseph Lieberman, an iconoclast who frustrated the Democratic Party, dies at 82

Officials: Baltimore bridge price tag could be at least $2 billion

Race to House majority runs through the 10 Toss-ups

Kuster will not seek reelection in New Hampshire

Appeals court extends hold on Texas deportation law

Capitol Ink | Unwieldy gavel