WASHINGTON -- In a move to protect Majority Leader Tom DeLay, House Republicans are expected to change caucus rules Wednesday to ensure he can keep his job if indicted.
The conservative Texas Republican was reconfirmed to his post by House GOP members Tuesday without objection, despite an ongoing criminal investigation into his political activities by Travis County, Texas, District Attorney Ronnie Earle that so far has led to the indictment of three of DeLay's political associates.
DeLay has denied any wrongdoing in the matter.
Under existing House rules, DeLay or any GOP leader would be required to automatically leave a leadership position if indicted on charges that carry a sentence of two or more years in prison.
But a proposal made Tuesday by Rep. Henry Bonilla, R-Texas, would protect party leaders from having to automatically leave their post if indicted on state-level charges. Bonilla's proposal would leave the rule in place solely for federal charges while still allowing a member to be removed from a leadership post by the conference.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California criticized the proposed rule change as a reconfirmation that Republicans do not care if their leaders are ethical.
