"Hearing footsteps"?

Daniel Malloy Nov. 12, 2009

Interesting story in the Wall Street Journal today about how lawmakers on the House defense appropriations subcommitee -- including its chairman, Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown -- are seeing fewer contributions this year from recipients of the subcommittee's earmarks. As investigations target the subcommittee on possible quid-pro-quo setups of earmarks in exchange for donations, the companies appear to be backing off for appearances' sake. "Lawmakers are hearing footsteps from these investigations, and companies are worried that they are going to get ensnared," Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan watchdog group in Washington, told the Journal.

The Journal compared donations from the first nine months of this year to the first nine months of 2007 -- also an off-year in the election cycle. Here's what they had to say specifically about Mr. Murtha:

Rep. John Murtha (D., Pa.), the chairman of the defense-spending panel, saw donations fall by about 73% to $23,600 from companies who receive his earmarks.

Donations to Mr. Murtha from employees of Advanced Acoustic Concepts have dried up this year. In 2007, Mr. Murtha directed $4 million to the firm, which produces sonar and torpedo-defense technology for the U.S. Navy. Its employees donated a total of $1,000 to Mr. Murtha through Sept. 30 and $22,000 leading up to the 2008 election.

This year, Mr. Murtha added $5 million into the Pentagon's budget to buy services from the company, but has received no donations from its employees. The company's president didn't return calls seeking comment. A spokesperson for Mr. Murtha declined to comment. Mr. Murtha has denied any wrongdoing.

Mr. Murtha hasn't been subpoenaed by the Justice Department, but companies he has directed funds to are being investigated by the House ethics panel.