Tauzin Should Be Banned From Lobbying Congress, the President, Says Consumer Group

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SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 16 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.), a key architect along with the Bush administration of the 2003 Medicare drug law that guaranteed a huge financial windfall for drug manufacturers by banning bulk discounts, should be banned for life from lobbying Congress and the President on prescription drug related issues, according to the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR). Tauzin, retiring from Congress, announced this week that he will now lead the nation's most powerful drug industry lobbying association, a position thought to pay a $2 million a year salary.

"Tauzin and his cohorts used the Medicare drug law to reward drug company contributors and feather their own nest at the expense of patients," said Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "It is obscene that Tauzin used his political position to leverage a $2 million a year salary when 1 out of 4 seniors cannot afford their prescription drugs. Politicians should not be allowed to exploit their public duty for personal enrichment."

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Tauzin Should Be Banned From Lobbying Congress, the President, Says Consumer Group

Existing law requires only a 1 year "cooling off period" before ex-members of Congress may lobby their forme...

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