Tom DeLay Resigns as Majority Leader Amid Felony Charge

Representative Tom DeLay, a powerful Republican in the House of Representatives, stepped down from his post as majority leader yesterday after a state grand jury indicted him on a charge of criminal conspiracy. The indictment alleges that DeLay and two associates funneled corporate campaign contributions through the Republican National Committee and a political action committee connected to DeLay. DeLay's resignation was called for under House rules and marks a significant setback for Republicans, who are already struggling with internal party dissent over escalating budget deficits and their inability to gain traction for Social Security changes.

Key Takeaways:

• DeLay resigned as majority leader after being indicted on a charge of criminal conspiracy for allegedly funneling corporate campaign contributions through the Republican National Committee and a political action committee connected to him.
• The indictment alleges that DeLay and two associates, John Colyandro and James Ellis, arranged for donors to sidestep a law against corporate contributions to state legislative candidates.
• $155,000 in corporate donations were funneled through the Republican National Committee by a political action committee that DeLay once helped lead, Texans for a Republican Majority, according to the indictment.
• DeLay denied any wrongdoing, accusing Travis County, Texas, prosecutor Ronald Earle of being a "rogue district attorney," an "unabashed partisan zealot," and a "partisan fanatic" with a history of filing charges against his political enemies.
• DeLay will continue to serve as a House member representing his Houston-area district, and his resignation is temporary while he fights the indictment.
• The power-sharing arrangement between Roy Blunt, Eric Cantor, and David Dreier is a short-term solution, and House Republicans may need to have a more permanent resolution by January or risk facing an election.
• Democrats have jumped on the news to accuse Republicans of fostering a culture of corruption, citing the Senate majority leader, Bill Frist, and his federal investigations for a sale of stock in a family medical corporation.
• President Bush supports DeLay, a fellow Texan who has spearheaded much of the White House's agenda through Congress, saying "Congressman DeLay is a good ally, a leader who we have worked closely with to get things done for the American people."

Statistics:

• $155,000 in corporate donations were funneled through the Republican National Committee by a political action committee that DeLay once helped lead, Texans for a Republican Majority, according to the indictment.
• 7 candidates for the Texas House of Representatives received money from the Republican National Committee that was distributed to them by DeLay and his associates, according to the indictment.
• 190,000 dollars is the amount that Texans for a Republican Majority sent to the Republican National Committee for distribution to the candidates, although $155,000 is the amount involved in the alleged conspiracy.
• 2002 is the year in which the alleged conspiracy took place, according to the indictment.

Sources:

• "DeLay steps down as majority leader after indictment" by Rick Klein, Boston Globe, September 29, 2005.
• The indictment of Tom DeLay by a Travis County, Texas, grand jury, September 2005.
• Interview with Martin Frost, a former Democratic House member from Texas, by Rick Klein, Boston Globe, September 29, 2005.
• Statement by Tom DeLay denying any wrongdoing, September 2005.