FBI Reportedly Launches Investigation Into Bribery Allegations Related To New Medicare Law

FBI agents reportedly are investigating allegations that Rep. Nick Smith (R-Mich.) was offered "significant financial support" for his son's House campaign in exchange for a vote in favor of the Medicare legislation (HR 1), Roll Call reports (Bresnahan, Roll Call, 2/26). In December, Smith, who is retiring this year, said that unnamed Republican leaders promised to donate $100,000 to his son's congressional race in exchange for his support on the Medicare bill. However, Smith later backed away from that comment, saying that suggestions he was bribed are "technically incorrect." He said that some Republican lawmakers had said they would oppose his son's campaign if he did not vote for the Medicare legislation, but they did not offer to donate any money to the campaign, as had been previously reported. Smith voted against the Medicare legislation. The House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct has conducted an informal probe into the situation (California Healthline, 2/12). Some House Democrats have said that if the committee does not initiate a full investigation, they will file a formal complaint requiring the panel to do so. Smith has met with committee members Reps. Joel Hefley (R-Colo.) and Alan Mollohan (D-W. Va.) to discuss the vote, and the committee was expected to discuss the situation during a meeting Wednesday, Roll Call reports. According to Roll Call, Smith did not comment on whether he has had discussions with FBI agents, and it is not known whether agents have interviewed him yet. Smith has "indicated he will not seek protection under the Speech or Debate Clause, which restricts lawmakers from being questioned about legislative activity," Roll Call reports (Roll Call, 2/26).

In other Medicare news, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has asked Reps. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and John Dingell (D-Mich.) to "host town hall-style events highlighting what Democrats argue are flaws" in the Medicare law, Roll Call reports. The two lawmakers will host events in their home states, then visit other states where "Democrats face tough battles in 2004, including Kentucky and New Mexico," according to Roll Call. They will discuss how the Medicare law is "bad for seniors" and does not "do what it purports to do," Brendan Daly, a Pelosi spokesperson, said. Pelosi said, "The idea is to get people on the road who are senior members of the Caucus with experience, knowledge and expertise on the subject we want to talk about." In addition, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and other Democrats will continue to hold member forums on Medicare and will encourage members to hold events in their districts to discuss the legislation (Billings, Roll Call, 2/26).