After the close primary in 1990, Murtha spent a lot of his time traveling throughout his district to develop an even more secure electoral base. He uses the defense bill to help direct tens of millions of dollars to his district, usually for health facilities and other different projects that have nothing to do with the military. He also gave huge sums for the lock and dam replacement project on the Monongahela River.
Murtha's tending to local concerns was well worth it in 2002 when Republicans asked Murtha for help during the redistricting process. He was able to make adjustments to the boundaries that helped suit him. One of the adjustments was to put the four-term Democrat Frank Mascara in the new Republican-leaning 18th District. After a month, Mascara decided his chances to win the general election in the 18th district were poor, therefore he would run against Murtha. Each of these guys represented half of the newly drawn 12th district.
Mascara's campaign was badly organized and poorly financed. Murtha campaigned very actively around the new district. He emphasized his “record of getting things done.” Mascara tried to attack Murtha for dodging debates and for being the “David Copperfield” of politics, handing out checks and then disappearing from the district.” Murtha won 64 to 36 percent. In the general election, he won 73 to 27 percent. However, Mascara was swamped by Murtha's fundraising, where defense contractors and labor unions played a huge role. Murtha barely won this primary by 2 to 1 and then was re-elected by 3 to 1. He then ran unopposed in 2004.
Murtha had a 37 year career in the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserves. He retired as Colonel in 1990. He has been serving the 12th district since 1974. Murtha is one of the 131 people in history to serve more than 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is one of 224 Members of Congress who has served 30 or more years.
Pennsylvania's coal and steel jobs were depleted within his district. These jobs were the lifeblood of the area. Murtha pushed the region into a new direction as he worked at diversifying the economy so that he could help save the people from such a huge shock. In the early 1990's, defense company's came to Western Pennsylvania. This brought over 5,000 jobs to the district. Murtha founded the House Steel Caucus and brought millions of dollars to the United Mine Workers that would retain and train miners.
Murtha fights for policies that help his people watching the ripples which evolve from the center. Some of these policies include: patient's bill of rights, prescription-drug benefits, better minimum wage, Medicare, Social Security and Veteran's benefits. Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was going to be killed by federal regulations. Murtha convinced the White House to act in a more flexible manner. He saved the CHIP Program. The EPA stated that the Pittsburgh Air Basin wasn't going to get any permits for the industrial growth. Murtha changed the language that gave time to finish the community-based plan. Murtha changed the language to have Medicare pay for preventive health care like mammograms and flu shots. He has also saved health care programs for retired miners, twice.
Murtha is determined to reverse the diabetes epidemic in Western Pennsylvania. He has put funding to UPMC's Diabetes Institute for diabetes prevention, education and outreach. He also has given money to Children's Hospital for a project on Type 1 diabetes. He forged partnerships between Western Pennsylvania hospitals and institutions like: Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital.
Murtha has had a major role in the tourism developments within the region. One of the areas is the Rivers of Steel which is dedicated to preserving history from Big Steel. This is 3,000 square miles in Allegheny. It surrounds six different counties. Another development was the Path of Progress which winds through 500 miles.
Murtha is very knowledgeable in military and defense issues. He is well-respected in this area and has been a trusted advisor for Presidents of both parties. He is also one of the best advocates for national defense. He is the Chairman for the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. His serves in the Marine Corps for 37 years gives him the knowledge to understand defense and military operations from any aspect.
He uses his position on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to fight for America's women and men who serve our country. He takes a hands-on approach. He visits personnel on bases and while deployments are being done, he goes to hear about the equipment, training, conditions, accommodations, and services available to them, as well as their families. Murtha constantly visits wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital so he can learn about the different needs of the troops being deployed in Iraq. Through his hands on process, Murtha learns information to help the progress of the war from the troop members themselves.
