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Go to The Hollywood Liberal's Main Page. April 27, 2005. Republicans May Clear Way for DeLay Probe
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert urged fellow Republicans on Wednesday to retreat in a battle with Democrats over ethics rules, which would clear the way for a probe of one of their own -- Majority Leader Tom DeLay, lawmakers saidThe full House may soon vote on whether to reverse at least some of the new ethics rules pushed through in January by majority Republicans over Democratic objections, lawmakers and leadership aides said. "I'm willing to step back," Hastert told reporters as he emerged from a closed-door meeting of House Republicans. "There issues out there that need to be discussed." "I think there is a member, especially on our side, that needs to have the process move forward so he can clear his name," Hastert, an Illinois Republican, said, without naming DeLay. DeLay, a conservative Texas Republican, exited the meeting by a back door, and refused to talk to reporters, saying, "Where's security?" 
Admonished by the House ethics committee last year on three separate matters, DeLay has faced new questions in the past month on ties to lobbyists and foreign trips funded by outside groups.DeLay, who denies any wrongdoing, has said he would welcome the opportunity to discuss the various questions with the ethics committee. But a stalemate over the new rules -- Democrats have refused to agree to them, saying they would make it more difficult to conduct or begin a probe -- has essentially shutdown the bipartisan committee this year. The flap has put Republicans on the defensive, particularly in their home districts, while Democrats vow to make DeLay a top target in next year's congressional elections. A senior aide said the rule change most likely to be scrapped was one that would require a complaint to be dismissed after 45 days if the 10-member ethics -- five Democrats and five Republicans -- deadlocked. In the past, it would automatically go to an investigative subcommittee. Hastert defended that rule changes on Wednesday, saying they were designed to make the process fairer for all members, Democrats and Republicans. The full House may soon vote on whether to reverse at least some of the new ethics rules pushed through in January by majority Republicans over Democratic objections, lawmakers and leadership aides said. However, the timetable and specifics remained uncertain after Wednesday's meeting, and a tentative target date of a Thursday vote was in doubt, aides said. 
"I'm willing to step back," Hastert told reporters as he emerged from a closed-door meeting of House Republicans. "There issues out there that need to be discussed." "I think there is a member, especially on our side, that needs to have the process move forward so he can clear his name," Hastert, an Illinois Republican, said, without naming DeLay. DeLay, a conservative Texas Republican, exited the meeting by a back door, and refused to talk to reporters, saying, "Where's security?" Admonished by the House ethics committee last year on three separate matters, DeLay has faced new questions in the past month on ties to lobbyists and foreign trips funded by outside groups. DeLay, who denies any wrongdoing, has said he would welcome the opportunity to discuss the various questions with the ethics committee. 
But a stalemate over the new rules Democrats have refused to agree to them, saying they would make it more difficult to conduct or begin a probe -- has essentially shutdown the bipartisan committee this year. The flap has put Republicans on the defensive, particularly in their home districts, while Democrats vow to make DeLay a top target in next year's congressional elections. A senior aide said the rule change most likely to be scrapped was one that would require a complaint to be dismissed after 45 days if the 10-member ethics -- five Democrats and five Republicans -- deadlocked. In the past, it would automatically go to an investigative subcommittee. Hastert defended that rule changes on Wednesday, saying they were designed to make the process fairer for all members, Democrats and Republicans. Hastert noted that in the nation's courts, if there is a tie vote, "the proceedings do not go forward." The speaker said he would send a letter "expanding on this" later on Wednesday to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California. While most House Republicans have publicly supported DeLay, at least two have suggested that he step aside as leader, at least until the ethics questions are resolved. An ABC News/Washington Post poll released this week found that 41 percent of those surveyed thought DeLay he should step down as majority leader while 32 percent said he should remain in the job. Among those who were closely following the ethics issues, 63 percent said he should quit. The speaker said he would send a letter "expanding on this" later on Wednesday to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California. While most House Republicans have publicly supported DeLay, at least two have suggested that he step aside as leader, at least until the ethics questions are resolved. An ABC News/Washington Post poll released this week found that 41 percent of those surveyed thought DeLay he should step down as majority leader while 32 percent said he should remain in the job. Among those who were closely following the ethics issues, 63 percent said he should quit. L.A. Times Italians Greet Exoneration With DismayExcerpt: Giuseppe Fioroni, an official with one of Italy's main opposition political coalitions, the center-left Margherita, said Tuesday that the U.S. investigation was "an insult to the memory of the officer killed" and an "absolutely unacceptable � act of arrogance toward Italy."Chicago Sun-Times Iraq war fallout pouring on BlairH.L.s Take: I don't think old Tony Blair has anything to worry about, His election, is fixed and in the bag. All members of The Bush Mafia, never have to worry about losing an election, that includes, Blair, Silvio Berlusconi, and The Pope.SF Gate No accountability for Abu GhraibExcerpt: After all, it took nearly a year after the shocking photographs of American military officers abusing naked Iraqi prisoners first appeared for military leaders to issues new rules regarding treatment of prisoners. By clearing four of the five officers overseeing prison operations in Iraq during the scandal -- as the Army inspector general did last week -- the Pentagon has heightened the impression of a whitewash.A while back I did an interview with Nick Yarris. Nick spent 26 Years on Pennsylvania's Death Row. He was freed about a year ago, due to DNA evidence, that proved he didn't do it. (Its an amazing story) Nick told me that while he was in prision one of the main guards was Charles Graner, Who was the ringleader of the Abu Gharib Torture. Nick told me that Graner was every bit as much of a Sadistic bastard in Pennsylvania, as he was in Iraq. So Nick was especially happy to see Graner get 10 years. Imagine the Irony. Nick should go visit him. So is it possible that Graner really was the ringleader who got Lynndie England and the rest of them all fired up to Torture people? Editor & Publisher Italian Journalist Challenges U.S. Report Clearing Soldiers in Iraq ShootingExcerpt: In a front page editorial in the left-wing paper she works for, Il Manifesto, Sgrena called on Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's prime minister, to respond what she called a "slap in the face for the Italian Government." She claimed that the Americans had not listened to either her testimony or that of another Italian agent: "Obviously, our two testimonies given to the American commission were useless. Or will I be charged with perjury?Denver Post Bush's bouncer gets aroundExcerpt: The White House keeps insisting that the guy impersonating a Secret Service agent who tossed the so-called Denver Three out of President Bush's Social Security road show here on March 21 was a nobody, an overzealous Republican Party volunteer, a rogue vigilante bouncer. If that's true, this guy really gets around.H.L.s Take: George Bush has a big fat guy travel around with him, and Escort out anyone who is not a smelly unshaven toothless, Imbecile, he does that to avoid dissent. Conspriacy Planet Bush White House Gay Sex Scandal Stars Jeff GannonExcerpt: The Bush White House gay sex scandal heats up, as new revelations show that fake reporter and male prostitute Jeff Gannon "slept over" on numerous occasions at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Gannon had previously advertised his services on the internet as a male prostitute "top" at $1200 per weekend. Since "Jeff Gannon" has given the term "media whore" a whole new definition, the question arises -- could "Jeff Gannon" be President George Bush's Lewinsky albeit in gay apparel? NY Times The Oblivious RightExcerpt: two-thirds of Americans polled by Gallup say that the economy is "only fair" or "poor." And only 33 percent of those polled believe the economy is improving, while 59 percent think it's getting worse. Is the administration's obliviousness to the public's economic anxiety just partisanship? I don't think so: President Bush and other Republican leaders honestly think that we're living in the best of times. After all, everyone they talk to says so.MSNBC Battle on Bolton Nomination Could Wound the President, TooExcerpt: Administration officials said that Vice President Dick Cheney and Karl Rove, the White House deputy chief of staff and the president's powerful political adviser, are playing a central and aggressive role in trying to salvage Mr. Bolton's prospects.H.L.s Take: You know they want this desperately, Now is the time for the Democrats to fight hard, but will they, or are they afraid they will wind up in a small plane crash, or suddenly feel like committing Suicide? Read The Next H.L. Back Issue To see all of the Issues. Go to our Back Issues Page |