The Tribune-Democrat - Santorum: Save NDIC

The Tribune-Democrat - Santorum: Save NDIC

By JULIE BENAMATI
The Tribune-Democrat

U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum has joined U.S. Rep. John Murtha in the fight to keep the National Drug Intelligence Center in Johnstown.

Santorum, a Republican, supports keeping the Washington Street center despite President Bush's fiscal 2007 budget proposal to shut it down.

Murtha, D-Johnstown, last year secured $39 million to keep the facility operating after Bush proposed closing it.

NDIC provides hundreds of jobs downtown. The agency coordinates the nation's fight against illegal drugs through drug-activity surveys, law-en-forcement training and more.

"I firmly believe that the NDIC is an important component in providing for our nation's security," Santorum said in a statement Friday. "The people of Johnstown who staff this facility are of the highest professional capabilities."

State GOP Chairman Robert A. Gleason Jr. of Westmont said Santorum's support is big news.

"I think it is wonderful that Rick Santorum has been able to weigh in on this," Gleason said, adding that he has prodded the senator to do so many times. "I told him we absolutely have to keep NDIC, because we can't afford to lose those jobs in Johnstown."

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