Pete Stark: Hanging Out With Health Care Lobbyists, But Won’t Take the Pledge

Rep. Pete Stark

I think we can safely call this "ill-timed":

A fundraiser on July 21 for House Ways and Means Chairman Pete Stark (D-CA) hosted by health care interests is raising eyebrows, reports Bara Vaida of the National Journal:

The fundraiser’s lead sponsor is the American Occupational Therapy political action committee, and the event is co-sponsored by the American Podiatric Medical Association PAC, the American Dietetic Association PAC, and the American Speech – Language-Hearing Association PAC. These are all groups that have a stake in health care reform.

"Probably not the best timing for this," the person noted in reference to the fact that the House Ways & Means Committee is to begin marking up the House Democrat’s massive health care reform overhaul legislation later this week.

Charles Rangel & lobbyist

Pete Stark’s not the Chairman of Ways & Means, that’s Charlie Rangel (here’s Rangel schmoozing lobbyists during the Ways & Means markup).

But that’s beside the point.   Pete Stark is in a district with a D+22 PVI.  Why the hell is he palling around with lobbyists and NOT taking the pledge to vote against any bill that doesn’t have a strong public option?

Ask him.  DC:  202-225-5065, Fremont: 510-494-1388.

(h/t lefttown)