WASHINGTON, July 23 (UPI) -- The House Ethics Committee has decided to extend its review of charges House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, violated ethics rules.
The decision to delay by 45 days the review of allegations filed by outgoing Rep. Chris Bell, D-Texas, means the committee will not rule until some time in September. Bell accused DeLay of improperly using federal resources and funneling corporate funds to candidates for the Texas Legislature.
The committee must decide whether the charges bear further investigation.
If the committee continues to investigate the issue, it could prove to be politically difficult for House Republicans heading into the increasingly competitive fall election season.
DeLay has denied any wrongdoing and dismissed Bell's claims as payback for the majority leader's role in Texas' most recent congressional redistricting, which left Bell open to a successful primary challenge this year.
