Report: Members push for GOP leader vote

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- At least two dozen Republican members of Congress are backing an effort to prevent Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, from returning as House majority leader.

Citing House sources, the Capitol Hill newspaper The Hotline reported Friday that the members have agreed to sign a letter to Rep. Deborah Pryce, R-Ohio, requesting new leadership elections. Pryce is chairwoman of the House Republican conference.

DeLay resigned as majority leader last year, following his indictment in Texas on money laundering charges related to alleged state election law violations.

The Hotline reported Friday that a group of House members and staff members were trying to gather the 50 signatures required to force a leadership vote. Citing sources, the newspaper said the effort was being led by Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Rep. Charles Bass, R-N.H.

The Hotline characterized the campaign as the first of what has been a quickly-growing effort -- in the wake of guilty pleas this week by lobbyist Jack Abramoff to a variety of corruption charges -- to ensure that DeLay does not return to his former leadership position.