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DeLay gives up bid to reclaim US House post
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-01-08 09:22
U.S. Republican Representative Tom DeLay, the defiant face of a conservative
revolution in Congress, stepped down as House majority leader on Saturday under
pressure from Republicans staggered by an election-year corruption scandal.
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| Majority Leader of the
U.S. House of Representatives Tom DeLay (R-TX) speaks at The Conservative
Movement dinner in Washington in this May 12, 2005 file photo.
(Reuters) | "During my time in Congress, I have always acted in an
ethical manner within the rules of our body and the laws of our land," the Texas
lawmaker told fellow Republicans in a letter informing them of his decision.
Still, referring to criminal charges he faces in his home state, he added, "I
cannot allow our adversaries to divide and distract our attention."
DeLay temporarily gave up his leadership post after he was charged, but
always insisted he would reclaim his duties after clearing his name.
His turnabout cleared the way for leadership elections among Republicans
buffeted by poor polls and by lobbyist Jack Abramoff's confessions of guilt on
corruption charges in connection with congressional wining and dining.
The race to replace Delay as majority leader
began taking shape immediately, with Reps. Roy Blunt of Missouri, the GOP whip, and John
Boehner of Ohio, a former member of the leadership, making clear their
intentions to run. Rep. Jerry Lewis of California declined to say whether he
would join them.
Speaker Dennis Hastert, his own grip on power secure, said he expects
elections to be held when lawmakers return to the Capitol the week of Jan. 31.
That set the stage for several weeks of political maneuvering, and the
possibility of a wholesale shuffle in the leadership lineup 10 months before
midterm elections.
Democrats, eager to take control of the House in November, reacted to DeLay's
announcement with studied indifference.
"The culture of corruption is so pervasive in
the Republican conference that a single person stepping down is not nearly enough to
clean up the Republican Congress," said Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, the
Democratic leader.
Added Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, chairman of
the House Democratic campaign organization: "With the permanence of their
special interest philosophy, a change in the Republican cast of characters
simply doesn't matter."
Democrats must gain 15 seats in November to win control
of the 435-member House.
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