WASHINGTON-Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.) is resigning as chairman of the House Commerce Committee and will not seek re-election to Congress, creating a vacancy atop the powerful panel that Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) is widely expected to fill.
Tauzin, a colorful politician and the wireless industry’s strongest advocate on Capitol Hill, notified House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) of his decision last night. Tauzin’s leadership of the House Commerce Committee will end Feb. 16.
“Leaving will not be easy, but I believe that this year is the right time for me and my family. My recent time spent at Bethesda Naval Hospital has reminded me of how precious time and life are and how dear family and friends are,” said Tauzin in a two-page letter to Hastert.
Tauzin, who earns $155,000 a year, recently paid $1 million for prime hunting property in Texas. The purchase immediately fueled speculation the Louisiana lawmaker was on his way out and headed for a big payday as head of a major trade association.
Last month, Tauzin turned down an offer to succeed Jack Valenti as president of the Motion Picture Association of America. In a statement, Valenti said Tauzin told him he was given “a very, very generous offer from another enterprise.”
That enterprise is believed to be Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, prompting watchdog Public Citizen to call for a congressional investigation of Tauzin to determine whether he was negotiating for the PhRMA job while helping crafting major legislation impacting the trade group’s members.
Public Citizen said that as head of PhRMA, Tauzin could make as much as $2.5 million a year, possibly a record salary for an association executive.
Ken Johnson, a Tauzin spokesman, said his boss has not signed any contract with anyone. A PhRMA spokeswoman said the group is conducting a search for a new president, declining to comment on whether an offer had been extended toTauzin.
Barton, Tauzin’s likely successor, battled mobile-phone carriers in the 1990s while trying to gain greater rights for wireless resellers. The extent to which Barton might pursue telecom issues is unclear, given his strong interest in energy issues.
