Billy Tauzin

Billy Tauzin is a politician, lawyer, and lobbyist. Of Cajun descent, he served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1972-1979 and the United States House of Representatives from 1980-2005, representing Louisiana's 3rd congressional district. In 1994, when the Democrats lost control of the House, Tauzin helped co-found the House Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate-to-conservative Democrats. In 1995, considering conservatives unwelcome in the Democratic party, Tauzin became a Republican, marking him as the first American to have been part of the leadership of both parties in the House.

From 2001-2004, Tauzin served as chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. In 2005, the same day he left Congress and two months after having helped to pass the Medicare Prescription Drug Bill, Tauzin was named director of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, a trade group for pharmaceutical companies. He is recognized for his legislative acumen, particularly as the original author of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1996 and the Cable Act, notable for being the only bills over the past ten years to become law despite Presidential vetoes.

Tauzin received his BA from Nicholls State University in 1964 and his degree in law from Louisiana State University in 1967. He is actively involved in several professional and community organizations, including his current role as a member of the Board of Directors for the Louisiana Healthcare Group.