Addiction recovery and parity advocate Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.) is reconsidering his decision to retire at the end of his current term in Congress, Roll Call reported Dec. 19.

Ramstad,  a rare Republican moderate in the House of Representatives, announced his intention to retire in September, but has been pressured by GOP leaders -- who fear the loss of his seat to the Democrats -- to run for a 10th term in Congress. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, praised Ramstad's ability to work with Democratic and GOP colleagues and said he would be "delighted" if Ramstad ran again.

Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), who has worked closely with Ramstad on parity legislation and other measures promoting addiction treatment and recovery, confirmed that Ramstad is mulling another term in office (Ramstad's office did not return calls seeking comment). Kennedy said that the possibility that Congress could vote next year on a parity bill is "very much impacting his decision" about staying in office.

In fact, said Kennedy, Ramstad's retirement debate has become part of the negotiations over the parity legislation. If Democratic leaders committed to passing the parity bill early in 2008, it might encourage Ramstad to retire, Kennedy said.