Two Months Later, Ethics Panel Investigates Medicare Vote

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Ethics Panel Investigates Medicare Vote By Juliet EilperinWashington Post Staff WriterFriday, February 6, 2004; Page A02 The House ethics committee is conducting an inquiry into whether lawmakers offered bribes or threats on Nov. 22 as they tried to persuade Rep. Nick Smith (R-Mich.) to vote for a Medicare prescription drug bill, which narrowly passed. The panel's chairman, Joel Hefley (R-Colo.), and ranking Democrat, Alan B. Mollohan (W.Va.), said this week they are undertaking an "informal fact-finding" mission that started two months ago. Democrats have been demanding a probe for weeks.Smith created an uproar last year when he said GOP leaders offered "bribes and special deals," including contributions for his son's 2004 congressional campaign, if he would vote for the bill. Smith, who voted nay, later retracted the bribery allegation."On Dec. 8, 2003, we initiated informal fact finding concerning the statements made by Representative Nick Smith on communications he received linking his support for the Medicare Prescription Drug Act with support for the congressional candidacy of his son," the panel's statement said. Democrats had pushed for the ethics committee to initiate an inquiry.Hefley said in December that a member could face expulsion if found to have offered a bribe.House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (Md.) said yesterday he was pleased "that the committee is conducting an 'informal fact finding.' This issue was raised by Representative Smith publicly and widely discussed by him and the media. If it is true that there is the possibility of criminal and serious violations of the rules and ethics of the House of Representatives, I hope this matter will be fully investigated."http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A17162-2004Feb5?language=printer