U.S. House ethics panel at impasse

WASHINGTON, June 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. House ethics committee, which has met for one day this term, has been shut down and it may not resume activities until next year.

The Washington Post said Thursday a standoff exists because committee Chairman Doc Hastings, R-Wash., is seeking to have his chief of staff become co-director of the committee. Democrats oppose the move and, since each party has five members on the ethics committee, the panel is left at an impasse.

The move could delay ethics committee action regarding Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, until next year, the Post said. Travel by DeLay and members of his staff has been under scrutiny since several trips were tied to lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

The newspaper, citing DeLay advisers, claims DeLay wants any such ethics committee investigation to look at all U.S. representatives' compliance with such laws. It has been pointed out that many Democrats also had ties to Abramoff.