Sen. Ron Wyden hasn’t had time to consider whether he, as some in Washington, D.C., are speculating, would make a good Secretary of Health and Human Services.
The Oregon Democrat is busy finalizing a bill that would regulate bonuses received by executives whose companies accepted Troubled Assets Recovery Program funds. He’s also set to roll out a new version of the Healthy Americans Act, which would guarantee private health coverage for all Americans.
Jennifer Hoelzer, Wyden’s spokeswoman, said she’s not heard if President Barack Obama has called to inquire whether the state’s senior senator might be interested in the health job. The position became open when former Senator Tom Daschle withdrew from consideration after tax problems came to light.
Hoelzer also said no meetings are planned between Wyden and Obama.
“We’re just focused on the economic recovery package” and the TARP and health bills, Hoelzer said. “It’s really up to the president whether he wants to consider (Wyden) for the position.”
Wyden and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) are introducing measures that would force financial institutions receiving federal bailout money to, if they pay executives more than $100,000 in bonuses, either return the bonuses or pay a 35 percent excise tax on the amount that’s not immediately returned to the treasury.
“It’s not enough to say these bonuses are wrong — they must be paid back,” said Wyden in a statement. “To get our economy moving again, the American people must regain confidence in their financial institutions. Protecting taxpayers with this amendment is a strong start.”
Financial interests that earned some $274 billion through the TARP program last year paid out $18.4 billion in employee bonuses, according to Wyden’s office.
The Wyden and Snowe proposal should hit the Senate floor this afternoon, Hoelzer said.
Tomorrow, Wyden will re-introduce the Healthy Americans Act with a bevy of new co-sponsors, including Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). The measure stalled in committee toward the end of the last Congressional session.
The bill would provide Americans with the same health benefits given to members of Congress, put greater emphases on prevention and wellness programs and, according to Wyden, save $1.48 trillion over 10 years.
The measure would also require that health coverage be portable, allowing individuals to keep their coverage as they move from job to job.