Rep. Patrick Murphy wins plum Appropriations slot

Rep. Patrick Murphy won assignment to the powerful House Appropriations Committee in a vote of the Democratic caucus Wednesday, keeping the seat once held by the late Rep. John P. Murtha in Pennsylvania hands.

And Rep. Chaka Fattah, the Philadelphia Democrat, declared he would seek the chairmanship of Appropriations after news Wednesday that the current chairman, Rep. David R. Obey (D., Wis.), will not run for reelection.

Murphy emerged from contenders from several states for the seat after Pennsylvania Democrats united behind him, concerned that the state not lose clout on the committee that controls federal spending.

"I can't fill John Murtha's shoes - no one can," said Murphy, of Bucks County. "It's an honor."

Traditionally, members of Congress use Appropriations seats to steer federal dollars to their home districts, though there are new restrictions on such earmarks.

Murphy said the post would give him a "better platform to bring high-paying jobs" to the Philadelphia region, as well as a chance to target wasteful spending.

He has advocated eliminating a program that pays aid to large corporations selling products overseas and also has opposed the proposed new F-22 fighter plane.

In a vote at the end of March, House Democrats from the state were divided on who should get the seat, which was also sought by Rep. Christopher Carney of northeastern Pennsylvania.

The representatives recently coalesced around Murphy, brought together largely at the urging of Reps. Mike Doyle of Allegheny County and Bob Brady of Philadelphia. Murphy's election was assured when he gained the endorsement of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.).

Fattah's decision to run for chairman puts him in competition with Rep. Norman Dicks (D., Wash.), who is next in line in seniority to Obey.

"The chair of Appropriations can influence how much we spend on education vs. defense, agriculture vs. health care," said Fattah, who has been a leader on education issues. "There are a lot of decision points."

Fattah, first elected in 1994, ranks 21st in seniority among 37 Democrats on the panel.

Seniority weighs heavily in awarding committee gavels, but it is not the only consideration, and party caucuses have elevated junior members before.

Rep. David R. Obey, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said Wednesday he won't seek reelection this year after a 41-year congressional career.

"There is a time to stay

and a time to go," the sometimes-gruff 21-term Wisconsin Democrat said at an emotional news conference. "And this is my time to go."

First elected in a 1969 special election, Obey championed traditional liberalism, opposed wars in Vietnam and Iraq,

and reluctantly backed President Obama's

Afghan troop increase.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had put him in charge of designing and shepherding last year's $787 billion stimulus bill.

As Appropriations chief, Obey oversaw hundreds of billions in annual federal spending. He is the House's third-longest- serving member.

Obey, 71, said he was "bone tired." He hasn't had a serious challenge

to his seat since 1994 and won in 2008, 61 percent

to 39 percent.

Some analysts said he faced a potentially difficult race this year with Republican Sean Duffy, 38, an Ashland County district attorney and a former cast member on the Boston season of MTV's The Real World reality show.

- McClatchy Newspapers

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