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Republicans Abandon Effort to Revise Ethics Rules

In a surprise move, Republican leaders met tonight and decided to abandon their attempt to revise the ethics rules. Also, Tom Delay moved to reinstate the rule that provides that an indicted member of Congress must step aside. He thought it was giving the Democrats too much ammunition:

Republicans gave no indication before the meeting that the indictment rule would be changed. Even more surprising was DeLay's decision to make the proposal himself.

Jonathan Grella, a DeLay spokesman, said DeLay still believed it was legitimate to allow a leader to retain his post while under indictment. But Grella said that by reinstating the rule that he step aside, DeLay was "denying the Democrats their lone issue. Anything that could undermine our agenda needs to be nipped in the bud."

House speaker Dennis Hastert made the motion to retain the current rules. He said while he believed the change was appropriate, it was becoming " a distraction."

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    Re: Republicans Abandon Effort to Revise Ethics Ru (none / 0) (#1)
    by jimcee on Mon Jan 03, 2005 at 08:25:07 PM EST
    It seems the Republican "Darth Vader" has a sensible side, go figure.

    America needs revised house ethics rules to remain safe. If Delay won't fight for freedom then he's just one more traitor in the War against terror.

    Re: Republicans Abandon Effort to Revise Ethics Ru (none / 0) (#3)
    by cp on Tue Jan 04, 2005 at 04:27:00 AM EST
    "America needs revised house ethics rules to remain safe. If Delay won't fight for freedom then he's just one more traitor in the War against terror." huh?

    So they flip-flopped.

    i am still in shock that they ever thought it was a good idea. the republicans won't always be in power, you know.

    It's obvious Delay has been tipped that he's not going to be indicted. So he gets publicity for backing off the rule change that's no longer needed. There is no change of heart or sudden wish to have ethics!

    Squeaky wheels get SOME grease!

    Re: Republicans Abandon Effort to Revise Ethics Ru (none / 0) (#7)
    by Sailor on Sat Jan 08, 2005 at 09:23:42 PM EST
    Republicans Abandon Effort to Revise Ethics Rules Not quite accurate, they just dumped some of the more controversial ones. They are still lowering the bar way, way down, e.g. The proposals will make it harder to proceed with an ethics investigation by requiring a majority vote of the evenly divided ethics committee. The current system allows an investigation to begin automatically if there is no action within 45 days. [...] Among other provisions of the package, lawmakers and their staff would be able to take a relative along on lobbyist-financed trips. Currently, they can be accompanied only by a spouse or child.