House Republicans this week changed a rule adopted in 1993 requiring leaders under indictment to step aside. The new rule was prompted by fears a politicized grand jury convened by a partisan prosecutor in Austin, Tex., could bring an indictment against Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R.-Tex.) over DeLay's in-state fund-raising activities.
Liberal Rep. Christopher Shays (R.-Conn.) voted against the proposal, which was offered by Rep. Henry Bonilla (R.-Tex.). "Too many of our members are slipping into business as usual," Shays said, according to The Hill. DeLay said the measure was necessary to prevent "Democrats or political hacks" from determining the GOP leadership.
