Quote:
WASHINGTON Nov 19, 2004 — House ethics committee leaders say the complaint that led to a rebuke of Republican leader Tom DeLay in October was filled with exaggerations. They warned lawmakers of possible discipline if it happens again.
The complaint against DeLay by Rep. Chris Bell, D-Texas, violated a committee rule barring use of "innuendo, speculative assertions or conclusory statements," ethics Chairman Joel Hefley and senior Democrat Alan Mollohan wrote Bell.
Hefley, of Colorado, and Mollohan, of West Virginia, also used the four-page letter to place all House members on notice that future use of exaggerations and innuendoes could result in dismissal of the complaint in addition to disciplinary action.
The letter to Bell was not a disciplinary action.
|
Lol! The House Ethics committee says the complaint is exaggerated. So what? The issue is the "procedure" change. It's telling the first action of this lame duck congress is to lower their ethical standards. The timing and target is obvious no matter how much DeLay denies it. Once DeLay is indicted (if Texas republicans fail to derail the prosecutor), the House leadership will simply claim the indictment is politically motivated so DeLay can continue as majority leader, despite the distractions of legal defense.