Rostenkowski first entered Congress in 1959 . Among other things , prosecutors alleged he used public funds for personal matters and to pay employees who did little actual work . He became chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee in 1981 . In 1986, he was elected to a full term as House speaker, which position he held until his retirement from politics at age 70 on January 3, 1995.
Rostenkowski first entered Congress in 1959 . He became chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee in 1981 . In 1986, he was elected to a full term as House speaker, which position he held until his retirement from politics at age 70 on January 3, 1995.