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As Axl Rose once eloquently sang. Nothin but a bunch of fucking pussies LOL.
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 said.
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.
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 said.
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.
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