GOP reverses course over ethics rules: House Republicans opt to retain tougher standards

It wasn't long ago that the Republicans in the House sought to defend Majority Leader Tom DeLay from being automatically ousted from that role should he be indicted in an ongoing investigation into possible illegal fundraising activities in Texas. The funds were used to help redistrict (read: gerrymander) the Congressional districts there to result in gains for Republicans and losses for Democrats. Not surprisingly, the GOP picked up two seats in the November election as a result.