After the House Ethics Committee twice rebuked Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX), the party leadership had a simple solution -- fire the Republicans holding to an ethical standard and replace them with party loyalists. That includes two new members who contributed $5,000 each to Rep DeLay's defense fund.
Rep DeLay caught flak from the Committee after charges that his PAC violated Texas election laws. The committee put aside any action until a Texas grand jury finishes its investigation. So far, the grand jury has indicted three of Rep DeLay's associates and is reportedly investigating Rep DeLay now.
GOP leaders fired Chairman Joel Hefley (R-CO) and replaced him with Rep Doc Hastings (R-WA). Other new members on the Ethics Committee include Representatives Lamar Smith (R-TX), Tom Cole (R-OK), and Melissa Hart (R-PA). Reps Smith and Cole contributed to Rep DeLay's defense fund. While that might appear to be a conflict of interest, it'd likely be up to the House Ethics Committee to decide....Oh, what am I saying? (Houston Chronicle)
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