Democratic Rep. John Murtha says Congress may miss deadline of passing health bill this year

September 24th, 2009 Murtha: $35B tanker competition appears 'open'WASHINGTON — A House Democrat says the Air Force's latest attempt to award a troubled $35 billion contract for mid-flight refueling tankers appears "open and less subjective." John Murtha of Pennsylvania says that "after eight years, we can finally get on with this program." He chairs the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense. Murtha was one of several lawmakers briefed by Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and other Pentagon officials on the latest request for bids — due out Friday — on the tanker competition between Northrop Grumman Corp.

September 8th, 2009 Key Dem moderate turns against public planWASHINGTON — A leader of a pivotal group of moderate House Democrats says he can no longer support a new public insurance plan in a health overhaul bill. Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas made the announcement Tuesday as members of Congress returned from Washington after their August recess.

August 23rd, 2009 Senator: Single health care bill a better approachWASHINGTON — A key Democrat in the health care debate says separating out the various issues and putting them in different bills isn't likely to work. Some lawmakers have suggested that a separate bill with changes that are supported by Republicans and Democrats would be one route toward progress on the health care overhaul.

August 19th, 2009 Bipartisan health talks to continue by phoneWASHINGTON — A key Democratic committee chairman involved in talks on a compromise health care plan said Wednesday they are on track to reach agreement. A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he'd prefer a bipartisan deal but "patience is not unlimited." Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said his group of three Democrats and three Republicans "is on track to reach a bipartisan agreement on comprehensive health care reform" that can pass a divided Senate.

August 11th, 2009 House leaders drop their plans to buy fancy jetsWASHINGTON — House Democratic leaders said Monday that they will not force the Pentagon to buy four new passenger jets used to ferry senior government officials. Democrats have been criticized for adding $330 million to the Air Force's 2010 budget to buy the jets even though the Pentagon didn't request the money.

August 1st, 2009 AP Sources: Deadline for bipartisan health effortWASHINGTON — Democratic officials say a Sept. 15 deadline has been imposed on efforts to produce a bipartisan agreement on health care legislation in the Senate.

July 30th, 2009 House cuts F-22 funding, nixes other weapons cutsWASHINGTON — The Democratic-controlled House went along with Defense Secretary Robert Gates' plans to kill the over-budget F-22 fighter jet, but has rejected his efforts to cut off several other big ticket items. Despite objections and veto threats from the White House, a $636 billion Pentagon spending bill passed by a 400-30 vote Thursday contains money for a much-criticized new presidential helicopter fleet, cargo jets that Gates says aren't needed, and an alternative engine for the next-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter that the Pentagon says is a waste of money.

July 30th, 2009 House rejects most Obama weapons cutsWASHINGTON — The Democratic-controlled House went along with Defense Secretary Robert Gates' plans to kill the over-budget F-22 fighter jet, but has rejected his efforts to cut off several other big ticket items. Despite objections and veto threats from the White House, a $636 billion Pentagon spending bill passed by a 400-30 vote Thursday contains money for a much-criticized new presidential helicopter fleet, cargo jets that Gates says aren't needed, and an alternative engine for the next-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter that the Pentagon says is a waste of money.

July 21st, 2009 Senior Democrat says no consensus on health billWASHINGTON — House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says House Democrats are struggling to reach consensus on overhauling health care, a divide that could delay House approval of a plan beyond lawmakers' scheduled vacation in August. House leaders have said they wanted to pass a plan before they leave on a monthlong break.

July 17th, 2009 House spending bill allows DC abortion fundingWASHINGTON — The District of Columbia government could fund abortions for the poor and take steps toward legalizing marijuana for medical purposes under a spending bill passed by the House on Thursday. The measure also would force General Motors Co.

July 16th, 2009 Obama goals on weapons cuts, car dealers rebuffedWASHINGTON — The District of Columbia government could fund abortions for the poor and take steps toward legalizing marijuana for medical purposes under a spending bill passed by the House on Thursday. The measure also would force General Motors Corp.

July 14th, 2009 Ex-defense contractor with ties to Murtha in courtPENSACOLA, Fla. — The former chief executive officer of a defense contractor with ties to U.S.

July 12th, 2009 Lawmakers say health overhaul has been slowedWASHINGTON — Top members of Congress say it's unlikely they will meet President Barack Obama's August deadline for a sweeping health care overhaul. Lawmakers on Sunday said they will not rush on a health care overhaul that isn't even in final form yet.

June 24th, 2009 Murtha says White House erred on helicopterWASHINGTON — The chairman of a powerful House subcommittee that oversees the military said Wednesday he hopes at least some of the $3.2 billion spent for a new fleet of presidential helicopters can be salvaged. The military stopped production of the heavily over-budget VH-71 helicopter program, estimated to now cost $13 billion, at the White House's request.

April 30th, 2009 Obama wants weapons-buying bill by Memorial DayWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he wants Congress to send him a bill by Memorial Day to save billions of dollars by overhauling the process for buying military weapons systems. Obama commented after a meeting Thursday with Sens.