US News
Top Republican lawmaker stumbles over corruption scandals
By DPA
Jan 8, 2006, 19:00 GMT

Washington - Tom DeLay, the Republican majority leader in the U.S. Congress, has given up his post under pressure from fellow lawmakers fearing the taint of a series of political scandals.

When DeLay, 58, put his House of Representatives leadership role on hold in September after being indicted in Texas on campaign finance charges, he insisted he would soon return to his post.

But with midterm Congressional elections slated for November, other Republican lawmakers worried about the party's public image have increasingly pressed for DeLay to step aside permanently.

On Saturday, DeLay said in his Texas congressional district that he has asked House Speaker Dennis Hastert to set in motion the process 'of electing a new majority leader'.

DeLay's position weakened this week when former Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff made a deal with U.S. prosecutors to cooperate in a corruption probe in return for having some charges dropped.

The plea bargain sent shock waves through Washington because Abramoff, best known for lobbying legislators on behalf of native American tribes, had ties with a number of powerful Republicans.

Abramoff, who allegedly showered public officials with money, trips and event tickets in a bid to buy their influence, worked closely with former DeLay aide Michael Scanlon, among others.

Abramoff pleaded guilty this week to charges of bribing public officials, tax evasion and fraud.

DeLay has reportedly returned 15,000 dollars he received from the lobbyist, and several other lawmakers have also given back donations from Abramoff.

About two dozen representatives, most of them members of President George W. Bush's Republican Party, could be targeted in the probe, according to media reports.

Bush expressed support for DeLay just a few weeks ago, but on Saturday the White House expressed relief about his decision.

DeLay once again denied wrongdoing and said he would run in November for his Texas seat in the House.

But, he said, 'the job of the majority leader is too important to be hamstrung by personal distractions'. DeLay had held the leadership post for three years.

'In my 21 years in Congress, I have always acted in an ethical manner and time will bear out that truth,' he said.

Congressional Democrats accused the Republicans of abusing their majority position, letting lobbyists for industries and special interests corrupt lawmakers and dictate the legislative agenda.

In a radio address, Democratic representative Louise Slaughter charged that Republicans over the past decade have turned Congress into 'an engine of patronage' and 'put (America) up for sale to the highest bidder'.