Rostenkowski Says He Will Seek Reelection Despite Federal Probe

Rep. Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.), whose financial affairs are under investigation by federal officials, said Friday that he plans to seek reelection next year.

Rostenkowski, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, nodded when asked after an awards presentation whether he would run again. He also said he would be reelected because “I’ve done a lot of service” for the Chicago district he has represented since 1958.

Rostenkowski said he will file his nomination petitions for the 8th District seat Monday.

Rostenkowski, 65, has been a pivotal player in President Clinton’s health care reform and deficit-reduction agendas. He has also been credited for helping the Administration win approval for the North American Free Trade Agreement.

But his future has been clouded by an investigation by the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington. No charges have been brought against him, and he has denied any wrongdoing.

Published reports have raised questions about, among other things, whether he or his staff received cash from the House post office through sham transactions disguised as stamp purchases.

Court documents filed last July when the former House postmaster pleaded guilty to embezzlement suggested that one of the lawmakers involved may have been Rostenkowski.