Tennessee congressmen deny trades for health votes

By Andy Sher

asher@timesfreepress.com

Two Tennessee congressmen today fired back at a Utah Republican congressman's "insinuation" on the U.S. House floor that they may have traded their health care votes for Obama administration posts.

U.S. Reps. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn., and John Tanner, D-Tenn., both criticized U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, for his remarks with Rep. Gordon saying he was "shocked" while Rep. Tanner charging Mr. Chaffetz's remarks were an "affront" to the House as an institution.

According to a rough House transcript, Rep. Chaffetz earlier said "one of the things we'll have to be careful with (on) this health care debate is trading votes for jobs. Keep an eye on Mr. Gordon, where it was reported he was promised the job of NASA administrator ... or Mr. Tanner who wants to be U.S. ambassador to NATO in exchange for his vote."

He concluded that "I hope we pay attention to these backroom deals that may be happening in this body."

Both lawmakers announced last year that they are not seeking re-election.

For complete coverage see tomorrow's Times Free Press.

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