The Democratic Party:

The Party That Created Medicare For America’s Seniors

Printable Talking Points on the Republican Medicare Briberty Scandal
Printable One Pager on the Republican Medicare Bribery Scandal

The Republicans'Medicare Prescription Drug Bribery Scandal

 

I believe the American people deserve real answers on why this Administration is keeping public officials quiet and keeping facts from the American people.  We deserve better than this."      — Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry

Press Release 3/15/04

 

  “These [Medicare] reforms are the act of a vibrant

and compassionate government."

George W. Bush, CNN 12/8/03

 

 

Bribery: In Congressman Smith's Own Words Bribery: In Congressman Smith's Own Words

“The House [of Representatives] passed a deeply flawed Medicare prescription drug bill by a vote of 220-215 at 6:00am, November 22. Votes in the House usually last 15 minutes plus a traditional two-minute cushion. But because the leadership did not have the votes to prevail, this vote was held open for a record two-hours-and-51-minutes as bribes and special deals were offered to convince members to vote yes.”   [“A Medicare Showdown” Column by Congressman Nick Smith 11/23/03]

 

Republican Congressman Smith Says Republican Leaders Bribed Him For His Vote On Medicare Republican Congressman Smith Says Republican Leaders Bribed Him For His Vote On Medicare

Conservative Republican Congressman Nick Smith (R-MI) said that he was offered a bribe on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Smith is retiring from office, and his son, Brad, is running for that congressional seat. In an interview with Kevin Vanderboek of WKZO in Kalamazoo, Mich., Congressman Smith said “And so the first offer was to give [Brad] $100,000-plus for his campaign, and endorsements by national leadership, and I said no, I'm going to stick to my guns on what I think is right for the constituents in my district.”
To hear the interview replayed on NPR 12/8/03, go to http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1537867. [“Why Smith Can't Recant: They've got him on tape.” Slate Magazine 12/6/03; “Medicare Vote Bribe Allegations” NPR, 12/8/03]

“(M)embers (lawmakers) and groups made offers of extensive financial campaign support and endorsements for my son, Brad, who is running for my seat,” he wrote in a Nov. 28 editorial in the Lenawee Connection newspaper. “They also made threats of working against Brad if I voted no.” [Smith's bribe charge probed Detroit News 2/6/04]

Conservative Republican Congressman Talks of Pressure to Vote for Bush’s Medicare Bill Conservative Republican Congressman Talks of Pressure to Vote for Bush’s Medicare Bill

“The House passed a deeply flawed Medicare prescription drug bill by a vote of 220-215 at 6:00 am, November 22. Votes in the House usually last 15 minutes plus a traditional two minute cushion. But because the leadership did not have the votes to prevail, this vote was held open for a record two-hours-and-51-minutes as bribes and special deals were offered to convince members to vote yes.” [“A Medicare Showdown” Column by Congressman Nick Smith 11/23/03]

Congressman Nick Smith did not vote for the White House Medicare bill.

Congressman Feels Heat, Backs off Bribery Claim: But Taped Interview Recorded His Words Congressman Feels Heat, Backs off Bribery Claim: But Taped Interview Recorded His Words

Congressman “Smith backed off on Dec. 4, just as he was starting to feel some heat from the growing prospect of a Justice Department investigation. ‘No specific reference was made to money,’ he said. ‘I was told that my vote could result in interested groups giving substantial and aggressive campaign 'support' and 'endorsements.' " ["Why Smith Can't Recant: They've got him on tape.” Slate Magazine 12/6/03]

“Smith tried to finesse this by telling the Associated Press that his recollection that money had been offered had been ‘technically incorrect.’ But what about the $100,000? It's pretty hard to see ambiguity in the offer of so specific an amount of money." [“Why Smith Can't Recant: They've got him on tape.” Slate Magazine 12/6/03;To hear the interview go to Medicare Vote Bribe Allegations, NPR, 12/8/03 at http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1537867.]

Ethics Investigation Regarding Republican Congressional Bribery Allegations Now Under Way Ethics Investigation Regarding Republican Congressional Bribery Allegations Now Under Way

"The House ethics committee said … it will begin an investigation to determine whether Rep. Nick Smith, R-Mich., was offered a bribe to vote for a Medicare bill." [Ethics committee eyes bribe allegation Boston Globe 3/18/04]

“House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who had urged the committee to investigate Smith, said Wednesday he hoped everyone involved will cooperate with the investigation. ‘I believe that this is an appropriate and necessary action and the only way that the House can remove the cloud of suspicion that hangs over this matter to this day’ Hoyer said”. [Ethics committee eyes bribe allegation Boston Globe 3/18/04]

On the issue of Nick Smith, the allegation that was made about a bribe on the House floor. I believe it is an appropriate response that the Ethics Committee is engaged in fact-finding, and that is the first step in an investigation. So I'm satisfied in terms of this particular.—House Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA)

Weekly News Conference 2/5/04

 

The Democratic Party:
The Party That Created Medicare for America's Seniors