DeLay Lands Coveted Appropriations Spot and oversees the justice dept

[MSgt213]

By ANDREW TAYLOR

WASHINGTON Feb 8, 2006 (AP)— Indicted Rep. Tom DeLay, forced to step down as the No. 2 Republican in the House, scored a soft landing Wednesday as GOP leaders rewarded him with a coveted seat on the Appropriations Committee.

DeLay, R-Texas, also claimed a seat on the subcommittee overseeing the Justice Department, which is currently investigating an influence-peddling scandal involving disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his dealings with lawmakers. The subcommittee also has responsibility over NASA a top priority for DeLay, since the Johnson Space Center is located in his Houston-area district.

"Allowing Tom DeLay to sit on a committee in charge of giving out money is like putting Michael Brown back in charge of FEMA Republicans in Congress just can't seem to resist standing by their man," said Bill Burton, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

GOP leaders also named California Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon as chairman of the Education and the Workforce Committee. Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, vacated that post after winning a campaign to replace DeLay.

McKeon is a seven-term conservative who has a generally good relationship with educators. He authored a 2001 law to remove disincentives for workers who would have lost part of their Social Security benefits

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1595524

[SpiralHawk]

1. How typical of the Republican culture of corruption

Shameless. As usual.

[AtomicKitten]

2. so the fox is in charge of the hen house.

The Dems MUST exploit this gem.

[readermostly]

3. Couldn't agree with you more! I wonder if this is what DeLay was promised

if he would leave the leadership position fairly quietly.

[stevedeshazer]

4. They gave him Duke Cunningham's seat.

No doubt hoping no one would notice.

[Tinksrival]

12. He could replace his nickname from hammer to

DELAY....THE NEW DUKE

[Kagemusha]

5. If DeLay gets subpoena powers for evidence in the Abramoff case...

Geez, I've heard of a case against a Cunningham-linked defense contractor being spoiled for just such a reason.

[BR_Parkway]

18. Or gets the committee to call the witness under immunity like they did

with Ollie North, et al

[Melissa G]

6. nominated.. this is nuts that the media is not plastering up

headlines about GOP coruption over this....

[napi21]

7. I actually think this is a good thing!

It gives more than surplus amunition to not only his Dem candidate in TX, but to every other Dem candidate in the House and the Senate!

"SUre the Pubs are going to get rid of corruption! Look at what they just did!"

Comeon Dems, If I can see this opportunity, surely you can too!

[readermostly]

9. Good point, napi21. This needs to be used over and over during the

election season.

[stevedeshazer]

15. It's a golden opportunity

Deception. Deficit. DeLay.

That would make a good bumper sticker.

[Eugene]

8. They couldn't find a place for him on the Ethics Committee?

If you're going to say "Up yours!" to the American people, why go half way?

By putting an indicted (and further indictable) Congressman on the Justice Committee,
the Rethugs have outdone themselves. They are irredeemaby corrupt.

[AIJ Alom]

10. Well if this is the new standard we are going to follow:

Then I surely hope Duke Cunningham gets the Ethics chair.

[EST]

11. If this does not make the case for an independent

investigation and prosecution, as well as the proposal for an independent, outside ethics committee, what will?

Good post.

[Twist_U_Up]

13. They know they won't lose the elections.

only logical conclusion

[progressoid]

14. Holy Hell - - Yep, they sure are cleaning up Warshington

[stevedeshazer]

16. Love the "Warshington" reference

Perfect.

[Susan43]

17. I'm a little surprised

that more people aren't more upset. I am just furious about this. Do those criminals in DC think they can just get away with anything? It appears so.

If the democrats don't stand up to this I am going to be crushed.

He's been censored by the ethics commitee 3 times, indicted for a crime and is given a plumb committee? I feel like I'm in bizarro world.