Republicans to hear a reprise of the “culture of corruption” campaign theme

With a lobbying overhaul awaiting House floor action later this week, Republicans expect to hear a reprise of the Democrats’ “culture of corruption” campaign theme. Before that happens, Minority Leader John A. Boehner wants to write a different story line by challenging the behavior of one of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s closest allies.
Boehner will ask the House to rebuke Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman John P. Murtha, whom Republicans accuse of threatening a GOP lawmaker in a specifically prohibited manner.

No one expects the Republicans to prevail on such a vote, but the minority leadership sees a chance to frame a picture of Democratic arrogance. House Republicans have been using amendments and motions to recommit to frustrate the majority, circumvent restrictive ground rules for debate and offer their own alternatives to Democratic offsets to pay for tax cuts and spending increases under the House’s new pay-as-you-go requirement.