The following is a transcript of a report by Team 4's Paul Van Osdol that first aired May 13, 2008, on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m.

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A Team 4 investigation found millions of taxpayer dollars are being spent on a local agency that President George W. Bush calls a waste.

But on Tuesday, Congress is taking steps to eliminate the agency.

The National Drug Intelligence Center in Johnstown has been a pet project of Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa . But a congressional committee, in a bipartisan vote, has decided to remove the center's $23 million appropriation from the 2009 federal budget, which could be the beginning of the end for the controversial center.

The National Drug Intelligence Center is one of the biggest employers in Johnstown, which is a big reason Murtha has fought to keep it despite the fact that top law enforcement officials have said the center is a waste of taxpayer money.

"There's no question that all the senior people in law enforcement, federal law enforcement, saw really no reason for it," said former DEA deputy administrator Jim Milford.

But that didn't stop Murtha, who helped steer more than $500 million to the center in the past decade.

Earlier this year, Team 4's Paul Van Osdol tried to ask him about it.

Van Osdol: "Congressman, what about the National Drug Intelligence Center?"

Murtha: "You're from WTAE?"

Van Osdol: "Yes, sir. What are you going to do to secure funding for that sir?"

When Van Osdol tried to keep asking questions, Murtha's public affairs person tried to block WTAE's camera.

Van Osdol: "Congressman, can you respond to the criticism that people say NDIC is just a pork barrel program?"

Murtha: "No comment. How's that?"

Van Osdol: "Why don't you want to talk about that program sir?"

Murtha: "Just talk to them about it, talk to NDIC."

Van Osdol: "We've talked to NDIC."

Murtha: "What did they tell you?"

Van Osdol: "They say you are the man who keeps it going."

Murtha: "That's right. You got that right."

The House Intelligence Committee rejected the NDIC by a 17-4 vote. It's possible the $23 million for the center could be reinserted into the intelligence funding bill on a floor amendment.

A spokesman for Murtha said, "We will try to work it out."

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