Progressives Call On Gop To Replace House Leader

WASHINGTON – Campaign for America's Future Co-director Robert Borosage today called on House Republicans to oust House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Tex., before he goes to prison for corruption.

"DeLay runs Congress like a racket," said Borosage. "The Texas Republican swaps favors for votes and faces numerous government investigations. Every House Republican must decide whether they stand with DeLay's corrupt values or not. They can't wait for 'The Hammer' to be sent to the slammer to clean up their leadership."

The House ethics committee reprimanded Rep. DeLay yesterday by for bribing a Republican colleague to change his vote on President Bush's Medicare prescription drug bill.

Rep. DeLay tried to force Rep. Nick Smith, R-Mich., to vote his way on the bill and threatened to work against the House candidacy of Rep. Smith's son if he refused. Rep. Smith voted against Rep. DeLay's wishes and Rep. Smith's son lost his primary.

Last month, a Texas grand jury indicted three of Rep. DeLay's political associates in a case involving a political committee affiliated with the majority leader. In addition, a new 3-part complaint to the Ethics Committee claims Rep. DeLay also misused his office and taxpayer resources for political purposes related to elections and redistricting in Texas.

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