U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler was one of three dozen lawmakers who had been persuaded by lobbyists for a drug company to read the lobbyists' talking points into the Congressional Record.

A spokesman for Shuler acknowledged the language was provided by lobbyists for a subsidiary of Swiss drug maker Roche, the Asheville Citizen-Times reports.

Shuler's statement supported language in the House health care reform bill that would give biotechnology firms 12 years of exclusive rights to new biologic drugs they develop and would promote developing generic versions of the treatments. Biologic drugs are complex medicines made using living organisms.

Doug Abrahms, spokesman for Shuler, said the Waynesville Democrat "received and relied on" the statement provided by Genentech lobbyists. He said Shuler has long supported the biotechnology industry, which has a strong presence in North Carolina."

Abrahms declined to comment on whether it's proper to use language provided by an advocate. Some critics said using statements provided by lobbyists exemplifies the too-cozy relationship between corporate interests and members of Congress.

Sen. Kay Hagan ranks 35th on The Hill's Rich List, a compilation of the 50 wealthiest lawmakers in Washington.

The feature cited Hagan's stock holdings in drug makers Pfizer and Genentech as well as Richmond, Va., based tobacco maker Altria and its subsidiary Philip Morris. Most of her estimated $6.7 million worth is related to her interest in a Florida commercial real estate business owned by her father.

The Hill's rankings, which are admittedly imprecise, list Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry as the richest lawmaker with a worth of $167.8 million, much of which comes from his wife's interest in ketchup.

Hagan is the only member of the state's Congressional delegation to make the Hill's list.

Correction: An earlier version of this post misstated where Altria has its headquarters.