http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_4924.shtml

Capitol Hill Blue

July 28, 2004

POLITICS

Texas Dems Want DeLay Censured

By Elizabeth Owens

Scripps Foundation Wire

The Texas Democratic Party chairman sent a letter to the House ethics committee Tuesday urging a broadened examination of charges against House Republican leader Tom DeLay of Texas.

Charles Soechting, party chairman and head of the Texas delegation to the Democratic National Convention, told his delegation Tuesday that he had sent the letter, which accused DeLay of placing his constituents in danger of toxic poisoning. A railroad company with political ties to DeLay has proposed a railway line that would carry hazardous chemicals through his district.

The railroad company, Burlington Northern, has given money to a political action committee, Texans for a Republican Majority, founded by DeLay.

DeLay spokesman Jonathan Grella said DeLay is neutral on the rail line, which is "nothing but a campaign gambit for the Democrats."

"Delay has not taken a position ... and we have no plans to do so," Grella said. "It is amazing but not surprising that Democrats will complain when we stay neutral on an issue."

Although DeLay has not taken a position on the issue, Grella said he has "encouraged the sides to get feedback from the district."

Soechting also charged that Bush-Cheney campaign chairman Marc Racicot, who is on Burlington Northern's board, is serving "as a conduit for illegal corporate cash to Rep. DeLay's political committee."

Bush spokesman Terry Holt said of Soechting's letter: "I think it's an outrageous publicity stunt. I think it's a desperate cry for attention from the Texas Democratic Party."

DeLay was also the focus of a speech given Tuesday by Rep. Chris Bell, a lame-duck Houston lawmaker. DeLay led a redistricting effort from Washington that placed the seats of five Texas House Democrats in jeopardy.

Bell, who filed the initial ethics complaint accusing DeLay of extortion, rallied the Texas delegation around the desire to see DeLay reprimanded for his actions.

"Tom DeLay is the most corrupt politician in America today," Bell said to the cheers of the Texas delegation.

Bell told the delegation he had heard from the House Standards of Official Conduct Committee last week that it will take up to an additional 45 days to take action on the complaint.

Bell took this as a good sign because he said the committee had "ample opportunity to sweep it under the rug."

"I believe the ethics committee is going to meet its responsibility and call for a full investigation of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay," Bell said.

Members of the Texas delegation said they are eagerly awaiting the committee's decision.

Through massive fundraising efforts, DeLay led the Texas state legislature to approve the redistricting plan, which pits two Democratic house members, Martin Frost and Charles Stenholm, against Republican incumbents, Pete Sessions and Randy Neugebauer, respectively.

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