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Published January 14, 2015
This is a rush transcript from "Glenn Beck," November 19, 2009. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.
GLENN BECK, HOST: On Saturday, there is a vote to debate the Senate health care bill.
They're going to say: Hey, this is just a debate; this doesn't make any difference. And they're going to try to convince you and good people in the Senate that you've got to let debate go through and we'll not play any tricks.
But really, can you trust them?
Let me show you the kind of people, the decent people that we have elected. Watch this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BECK (VOICEOVER): Our democracy is being stolen. Our Constitution is in gave danger. Our leaders are bamboozling us. Some of them will never leave — unless we make them.
Term limits: Why do we need them? Congressman John Murtha, a case study.
Caution, what you're about to see is very, very disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP: AUGUST 3, 2007, HOUSE FLOOR)
REP. JOHN MURTHA, D-PA.: Pursuant to clause one, rule one, the journal stands approved.
REP. FRANK JAMES SENSENBRENNER, R-WIS.: Speaker...
MURTHA: The gentleman from Wisconsin.
SENSENBRENNER: Speaker, pursuant to clause one of rule one, I demand a vote on agreeing to the speaker's approval of the journal.
MURTHA: Approval of the journal. Those in favor say aye.
LAWMAKERS: Aye.
MURTHA: Opposed will say no.
LAWMAKERS: No!
MURTHA: In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.
SENSENBRENNER: Speaker! Mr. Speaker! Mr. Speaker! Mr. Speaker! Mr. Speaker!
(CROSSTALK)
On that, I demand a division.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE LAWMAKER: That doesn't count!
MURTHA: The yeas and nays requested. Those favoring a vote by yeas and nays will please rise.
SENSENBRENNER: Could the chair tell me how many members rose to request the recorded vote and the total number of members present in House upon which the chair made his decision?
MURTHA: The chair's decision is not subject to question.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BECK (VOICEOVER): It was a scene that played out on the House floor more than two years ago, but you probably haven't seen it.
Pennsylvania Democrat John Murtha, one of the longest-serving members of Congress in U.S. history, a man who almost became House majority leader spitting on the graves of our Founding Fathers.
That is how they're going to do it, America. That's how the health care bill is being rammed through:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NANCY PELOSI, D-CALIF.: The bill is passed.
(CHEERS)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BECK (VOICEOVER): That's how cap-and-trade will be passed. John Murtha has served in Congress for 35 years; 19 terms worth of shenanigans just like you saw. They've earned him a spot on the list of the most corrupt members of Congress according to the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
And Murtha's not denying that he's corrupt.
In an interview with the Pittsburgh Post Gazette just this past March, the congressman said, quote, "If I'm corrupt, it's because I take care of my district."
Oh, and he certainly does. Murtha is known as the king of the earmarks in Washington. He secured millions in taxpayer dollars for his 12th district over the years. John Murtha Airport in Johnstown, Pennsylvania alone has received $200 million of your money over the last 20 years and was just awarded another $800,000 in stimulus money.
Three planes leave that airport every day. Three.
The lawmaker has also been sure to secure plenty of taxpayer dollars for his brother Kit's consulting firm; for his nephew's company; for his aide and a slew of his campaign contributors.
But perhaps the dirtiest scandal Congressman Murtha ever took part in as the Abscam scandal of 1980. Three decades ago, the undercover FBI operation led to the arrest and convictions of one senator and several congressmen and others.
The lawmakers were caught on tape accepting bribes from agents posing as Middle Eastern businessmen trying to obtain political favors for a foreign Arab sheik. Jack Murtha was the only lawmaker who avoided prosecution by testifying against the others. He wasn't caught accepting the bribes, but he did consider taking them at a later date:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNDERCOVER FBI AGENT: I was under the impression, OK, and I told Howard we were willing to pay. I went out and got the $50,000. OK.
MURTHA: Look, I'm not interested...
UNDERCOVER FBI AGENT: OK.
MURTHA: Now, I'm not saying that some day, I — you know, you made an offer. It may be that would change my mind someday. I'm going to be there 20 years in that (EXPLETIVE DELETED) Congress. I know what I can do and can't do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MURTHA: Those in favor say aye.
LAWMAKERS: Aye.
MURTHA: Opposed will say no.
LAWMAKERS: No!
MURTHA: In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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https://www.foxnews.com/story/case-for-term-limits-rep-john-murtha