After Democrats won control of Congress in the 2006 midterm elections for the first time in fourteen years, Representative Murtha made a run for House Majority Leader and was supported by incoming Speaker of the House [[Nancy Pelosi]] (D-CA). Despite Murtha claiming that he had enough votes to win the leadership position, he was defeated by Minority Whip Steny Hoyer by a margin of 149-86 within the caucus. He now serves as the chairman of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee. | After Democrats won control of Congress in the 2006 midterm elections for the first time in fourteen years, Representative Murtha made a run for House Majority Leader and was supported by incoming Speaker of the House [[Nancy Pelosi]] (D-CA). Despite Murtha claiming that he had enough votes to win the leadership position, he was defeated by Minority Whip Steny Hoyer by a margin of 149-86 within the caucus. He now serves as the chairman of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee. |