No Drug-Industry Offer Yet for Tauzin
By Ted Hearn -- Multichannel News, 1/26/2004 11:24:00 AM
House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman Billy Tauzin (R-La.) -- who turned down a lucrative offer last week to become Hollywood's top Washington lobbyist -- has not agreed to accept a similar post for the pharmaceutical industry.
"Just as I've said for the past year that there was no [Motion Picture Association of America] deal, there is no deal with [Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America] right now," Tauzin spokesman Ken Johnson said Monday.
The MPAA -- the trade group for the seven major Hollywood studios, run by legendary lobbyist Jack Valenti since 1966 -- wooed Tauzin as Valenti's replacement in a job that pays more than $1 million per year.
Reports immediately surfaced that Tauzin decided to become president of PhRMA, the trade association for dozens of drug makers, including Abbott Laboratories, Merck & Co. and Eli Lilly & Co.
Tauzin was first elected to the House in 1980 as a Democrat. He changed parties a few years ago after House GOP leaders allowed him to retain his seniority.
With the Congress and the White House under Republican control, senior Republican officials have become targets for well-heeled lobbying groups.
Tauzin mulled the MPAA offer for a few days but decided it was not the right move, Johnson said.
"It is my understanding that the MPAA made an offer to him recently," Johnson added. "He considered it very seriously for several days and decided to pass on it."
MPAA and PhRMA officials did not return messages.
Johnson said he wasn't sure whether Tauzin would take a lobbying job now or postpone a private-sector move until after he leaves Congress.
"He talked to his wife, family and close friends over the weekend, and he'll make a final decision about his future in the next couple of weeks," Johnson added.
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