Murphy and Courtney Vote for Murtha
HOYER
The New Britain Herald
Tia Albright
Boston University Washington News Service
November 16, 2006
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 – Connecticut’s incoming Democratic representatives voiced their support Thursday for newly elected House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), even though both said they voted for John Murtha (D-Pa.).
Rep.-elect Christopher Murphy said he voted for Murtha because Murtha is a good friend of Rep. John Larson (D-1st). “I supported Murtha,” Murphy said. “He and John Larson are great friends, and a friend of John Larson’s is a friend of mine.”
Rep.-elect Joseph Courtney (D-2nd), who praised Murtha’s stance on the war in Iraq, said he thinks the controversy surrounding the vote will clear quickly.
“I think it was a hard-fought race, but these are experienced leaders who understand that the race ended when the vote was tallied,” Courtney said. “It’s time to focus on the agenda, which is to get change moving in this country.”
The controversy began when Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) publicly endorsed Murtha for House majority leader. Hoyer, a 26-year member of Congress, and the current House minority whip, was considered to be the favorite before Pelosi’s announcement.
Hoyer defeated Murtha 149-86.
Murphy said that regardless of his vote for Murtha he will be a supporter for the elected leader.
“I think Steny Hoyer is going to be an outstanding leader for our caucus,” he said. “He was a great help to a lot of freshman [during the campaigns], and he’s going to be an even better leader as we head into the majority.”
###
