WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The House Ethics Committee has rebuked House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, for his conduct for the second time in six days.
The committee acted on an ethics complaint filed against the powerful conservative Texas Republican by outgoing Rep. Chris Bell, D-Texas.
The panel criticized DeLay for improperly using his position to solicit political help from the Federal Aviation Administration and for contact with donors that has the appearance of impropriety.
Last week, the panel rebuked DeLay for offering his support to a retiring member's son's bid for Congress in exchange for a vote in favor of Medicare Prescription Drug legislation.
Although the committee's condemnation of DeLay was strong, it fell short of the steps the panel could have taken. And the ethics committee did not make a decision on one of Bell's ethics charges related to an ongoing grand jury investigation of Republican fundraising activities in Texas. Three DeLay associates were indicted in that investigation last month.
In a statement Wednesday night, DeLay said the committee was right in dismissing Bell's "embellished allegations" and he accepted the committee's "guidance" in the matter.
However, in a letter to DeLay, the ethics panel said further action on the Texas fundraising matter has been deferred pending action by the state court.
The ethics committee also said it is "clearly necessary" for DeLay to "temper" his future political actions to assure compliance with House ethics rules.
