How much did Gruber make?
ObamaCare consultant Jonathan Gruber refused to say Tuesday how much money he received in federal and state contracts related to healthcare reform.
{mosads}In a series of tense exchanges with lawmakers, Gruber declined to estimate how much he was paid and repeatedly referred questions to his lawyer.
The issue produced some of the hearing’s tensest moments as Republicans repeatedly asked Gruber to estimate his pay and called his written disclosures incomplete.
“Gruber testified and did not disclose he was being paid by the Obama administration. That is deception at its highest form,” yelled Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
“Give me a dollar amount. You’re not going to answer the question? You’re under oath and you’re not going to answer the question.”
Gruber, consulting with someone in the audience at least twice, said his written financial disclosure was a matter committee staff should broach with his legal team.
“I’ve been informed by counsel that my disclosure is in compliance with the House committee rules,” Gruber said.
The exchanges took place at the House Oversight Committee, which hosted Gruber to discuss his prior comments that the “stupidity of the American voter” and a “lack of transparency” aided ObamaCare’s passage. Gruber apologized several times for the remarks.
Congressional witnesses are often required to disclose government contracts as part of their agreement to testify.
Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) threatened to bring Gruber back for another hearing if he does not supply additional financial information.
Another member of the committee, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), called for a subpoena to get documents related to Gruber’s contract work.
“We only received $100,000 in disclosures, which were three grants,” Issa said. “In other words, the gentleman’s disclosure is incomplete.”
Gruber replied that he was only required to provide details from this fiscal year and the previous two.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), who will take the Oversight gavel next year, pressed and mocked Gruber.
“What are you hiding?” he asked. “Why won’t you give those to us? Why are we not entitled to those? … Do you not understand the question?”
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