http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/02/26/tauzin.job/index.htmlWASHINGTON (CNN) -- Bowing to pressure from Democrats, a leading Republican lawmaker who had played a key role in crafting prescription drug legislation has ended talks to become the top lobbyist for the pharmaceutical industry, his spokesman said Thursday.
"He told them he's not accepting the position at this time," said Ken Johnson, spokesman for Rep. W.J. "Billy" Tauzin, R-Louisiana. "He won't make a decision about his future until he leaves Congress. This has become a monumental distraction and he wants to put it behind him."
The decision follows weeks of complaints from Democrats who said it was wrong for Tauzin -- who until earlier this month was the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has oversight of the drug industry -- to accept the high-paying job. Just last year, Congress passed a Medicare prescription drug bill that will earn billions for the drug companies, and Tauzin played a leading role in House negotiations on that measure.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California, repeatedly raised the possibility that representatives from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America began job talks with Tauzin during the Medicare negotiations, something Tauzin vehemently denied.