Republican Congressman,author of the Medicare prescription drug bill resigns

[Gimpy]

Republican Congressman,author of the Medicare prescription drug bill resigns .

WASHINGTON - W.J. ``Billy'' Tauzin, R-La., one of the most powerful Republicans in the House, will not seek re-election when his 12th term expires at the end of this year and will vacate the chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Committee effective Feb. 16 to take a job with Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the trade group that represents drug giants.

Tauzin informed Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., personally Tuesday evening.

``Leaving will not be easy, but I believe this year is the right time for me and my family,'' Tauzin wrote in his resignation letter. `
Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, is seen as a likely successor to take over Tauzin's committee.

The Louisiana Republican was widely expected to succeed Jack Valenti as president of the Motion Picture Association of America, but turned down the job late last month.

Soon after that rumor surfaced, he received a larger offer to head the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the trade group that represents drug firms such as Pfizer Inc. and Merck & Co., though no contract has been offered, sources said.

Tauzin was a principal author of the Medicare prescription drug bill that included several provisions expected to vastly expand the market for prescription drugs among the elderly.

He recused himself from health care issues before his committee last week and is expected to take the trade group's offer and leave the House before his term expires. Public Citizen, a public interest group, has called for an ethics investigation of Tauzin.


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Now if THAT don't PROVE there were "shenanigens" going on between republicans and the drug firms when writing the "new" Medicare bill.............then WHAT DOES!
More evidence of a LACK of"ethics & dignity" from the republican leadership!