House bribery investigation delayed

WASHINGTON, June 21 (UPI) -- An inquiry into allegations that a Michigan representative was offered a bribe to support the Medicare Prescription Drug law has been delayed.

Roll Call reported Monday that the findings of the bipartisan investigation into whether some House Republicans pressured Rep. Nick Smith, R-Mich., to vote for the Medicare prescription drug bill last November in exchange for financial support of his sons' campaign to take over the retiring member's seat will miss the original filing deadline of July 4.

Smith, who voted against the bill during the nearly three-hour House vote on the bill despite the reported pressuring, has already been interviewed the Michigan Republican as has his staff, who have all reportedly cooperated in the investigation.

In addition, other lawmakers are said to have been interviewed in the probe, which is being headed by Rep. K Kenny Hulshof, R-Mo., and Bill Delahunt, D-Mass.

Smith has never publicly specified which members of Congress allegedly made the offer to provide $100,000 in support for his son Brad Smith's campaign in exchange for changing his vote.

While the original deadline will not be met, the investigation may reportedly be completed before Congress recesses at the end of July in time for the Democratic National Convention.