Roll Call reports that House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R.-Tex.) "has begun quiet discussions with a handful of colleagues about the possibility that he will have to step down from his leadership post temporarily if he is indicted by a Texas grand jury investigating alleged campaign finance abuses." Republican Conference rules would at least temporarily force DeLay out of his leadership position if he is indicted, Roll Call reported. He could return to his job if he is acquitted or charges are reduced or dropped. Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle is investigating a group DeLay started, called Texans for a Republican Majority, for possible violations of Texas law during the 2002 state legislative elections.
