WASHINGTON | In an attempt to head off a play of partisan politics, U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky said Tuesday he wants to cede his control over a 2010 financing bill.
Visclosky, a Merrillville Democrat, said he is seeking to have Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz., temporarily handle the fiscal year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill during committee and House consideration.
"The bill involves approximately $30 billion in federal spending, touching upon everything from flood control projects like the Little Cal to nuclear arms," Visclosky said. "And the meticulous consideration of this bill is vitally important."
The momentary leadership abdication comes as Visclosky is embroiled in a federal probe of his once top source of campaign cash.
Visclosky, chairman of the Energy and Water subcommittee, said House Appropriations Committee chairman U.S. Rep. Dave Obey has expressed a willingness to allow the temporary switch.
In effect, Pastor would assume Visclosky's chairman duties for just the 2010 bill, Visclosky said.
"I am the chairman of the Energy and Water subcommittee and will continue to serve as chairman," Visclosky vowed. "This in no way inhibits my continued ability to provide the federal resources necessary for projects of importance to Northwest Indiana."
Visclosky said of Pastor, a senior member of the committee who is from the Phoenix area: "He's a smart guy; he knows the issues. I respect his abilities."
A Pastor spokesman said Tuesday the congressman declined to comment.
Visclosky announced last week that his congressional office, campaign committees and some employees have been sent grand jury subpoenas requesting documents relating to The PMA Group.
The FBI conducted a raid on the Virginia-based lobbying firm in November. The now-defunct firm was long Visclosky's top source of campaign contributions.
Since 1998, the firm and its clients -- through political action committees or employees and their families -- have contributed nearly $1.38 million to Visclosky's campaign and leadership political action committees, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Visclosky returned $18,000 in campaign funds linked to the lobbying firm in March to the U.S. Treasury.
Visclosky told The Times on Tuesday that while he has not heard specific threats, he is relinquishing his control over the bill in anticipation of any Republican attempt to use the PMA investigation to influence the appropriations process.
"I'm trying to avoid the disruption of the process," he said. "I anticipate there will be some, who for partisan political advantage, would try to disrupt the orderly consideration of the bill."
Ranking Republicans on the House Appropriations committee and Energy and Water subcommittee either did not respond to Times requests Tuesday, or did not wish to comment.
Included in the bill Visclosky is yielding control of is a $20 million request for Little Calumet River flood prevention.
Earlier this year, Visclosky said he decided he would not seek earmarks for private, for-profit companies in the bill.
Of the 228 requests for earmarks totaling $571 million that Visclosky's office received, nine came from for-profit companies, four of which were former PMA clients. Visclosky did not requests appropriations for the for-profit companies.
The congressman said he had "no idea" if Pastor had received any donations connected to the disgraced lobbying firm.
A review of federal campaign records shows that removing Visclosky from the bill process does not necessarily remove any connection to PMA.
Visclosky and Pastor both are backed by union, manufacturing and defense industries and share many of the same donors. Pastor, too, received donations in 2008 from at least four PMA clients.
And the former firm's political action committee donated $4,500 to the Arizona congressman between 2000 and 2004.
Pastor has served on the House Appropriations Committee since being elected to Congress in 1991 and also has served on the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
