Billy Tauzin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Billy Tauzin
|
|
|---|---|
Official portrait, 1990s
|
|
| Chair of the House Energy Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2001 – February 4, 2004 |
|
| Preceded by | Tom Bliley |
| Succeeded by | Joe Barton |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 3rd district |
|
| In office May 22, 1980 – January 3, 2005 |
|
| Preceded by | David Treen |
| Succeeded by | Charlie Melançon |
| Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives | |
| In office 1973–1980 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Wilbert Joseph Tauzin II
June 14, 1943 Chackbay, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (before 1995) Republican (1995–present) |
| Spouses | (1) Gayle Clement Tauzin (2) Cecile Bergeron |
| Education | Nicholls State University (BA) Louisiana State University (JD) |
| Profession |
|
Wilbert Joseph Tauzin II (born June 14, 1943), known as Billy Tauzin, is an American lobbyist and former politician. He worked as the President and CEO of a group called the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). This group represents many pharmaceutical companies. He held this role from 2005 to 2010.
Before this, Tauzin served in the United States House of Representatives. He was a representative from Louisiana from 1980 to 2005. He was first elected as a Democrat. Later, in 1995, he changed to the Republican Party.
Contents
About Billy Tauzin
Billy Tauzin grew up in Chackbay, Louisiana. This is a small town near Thibodaux, Louisiana. His family has Cajun roots.
He went to Nicholls State University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1964. Later, he studied law at Louisiana State University. He received his law degree in 1967. While in law school, he helped out in the Louisiana state Senate.
Billy Tauzin is married to Cecile Tauzin. He has five children from an earlier marriage.
His Political Journey
Billy Tauzin started his political career in 1972. He was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives. He served four terms there as a Democrat.
In 1979, David C. Treen became Louisiana's first Republican governor in over 100 years. Treen had been a U.S. Representative. When Treen resigned from his House seat, Tauzin ran for it.
Tauzin won a special election for the U.S. House seat in May 1980. He was sworn into office soon after. He won his first full term in November 1980.
Serving in Congress
For 15 years, Tauzin was known as a conservative Democrat. He sometimes worked with Republicans. After the 1994 elections, Democrats lost control of the House. Tauzin helped start the House Blue Dog Coalition. This group was made of moderate and conservative Democrats.
On August 8, 1995, Tauzin decided to become a Republican. He felt that conservatives were no longer welcome in the Democratic Party. He quickly became a deputy majority whip. This meant he helped lead the Republican Party in the House. He was the first person to be a leader in both parties in the House.
Tauzin remained very popular in Louisiana. After 1980, he was re-elected many times without much opposition. For nine of those times, no one even ran against him.
Leading a Committee
From 2001 to 2004, Tauzin was the chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce. This committee deals with many important issues. In 2004, he announced he would not run for re-election. He had served 12 full terms.
During his time in Congress, Tauzin worked on many laws. These included rules about natural gas, airlines, and electricity. He also helped with environmental laws like the Clean Air Act. He was involved in laws about telecommunications and financial markets.
In 2003, he was honored by being inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame.
After Congress: A Lobbyist
In January 2005, right after leaving Congress, Billy Tauzin started a new job. He became the head of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). This is a powerful group that represents drug companies.
Before he left Congress, Tauzin played a big part in passing the Medicare Prescription Drug Bill in 2003. This bill aimed to help people pay for prescription drugs.
As the head of PhRMA, Tauzin was important in discussions about health care reform in 2009. He worked with the White House and Senate on these efforts.
Tauzin retired from PhRMA in June 2010. He has also served on the Board of Directors at LHC Group since 2005.
See also
- List of American politicians who switched parties in office
- List of United States representatives who switched parties
