Representative Tom DeLay not seeking future Majority Leader position
{{date|January 8, 2006}}
{{missing image|Image:Tom Delay old pix.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Tom DeLay}}
[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Tom DeLay]], representative from the 22nd Congressional District of [[Texas]], announced on Saturday that he will not attempt to reclaim his {{w|Majority Leader of the United States House of Representatives|majority leader}} position in the [[United States House of Representatives]]. Fellow Republicans, spear-headed by {{w|Jeff Flake}} ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[Arizona|AZ]]) and [[w: Melissa Hart|Melissa Hart]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[Pennsylvania|PA]]), began circulating a petition last week urging to elect a new majority speaker, thus setting the stage for House leadership elections.

In a letter written and addressed to fellow House Republicans on Saturday, DeLay said, "During my time in Congress, I have always acted in an ethical manner within the rules of our body and the laws of our land."

He asked {{w|Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House}} {{w|Dennis Hastert}} to convene a body to elect a new majority leader. "I cannot allow our adversaries to divide and distract our attention," wrote DeLay.

The 58-year-old DeLay held the leadership post for 3 years, until he was forced to relinquish it in late 2005 after he became involved in an ethics scandal. He stepped down after a Texas jury indicted him for money laundering and conspiracy, but initially planned to re-seek the majority speaker post if he was acquitted.
{{haveyoursay}}
==Related news==
*{{Wikinews|title=Arrest warrant issued for Tom DeLay
|date=October 20, 2005}}
*{{Wikinews|title=U.S. house majority leader DeLay indicted, steps down temporarily
|date=September 28, 2005}}
*{{Wikinews|title=Tom Delay raises Republican hackles as ethics charges dominate news
|date=April 12, 2005}}

== Sources ==

*{{source|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/13574144.htm
|title=DeLay steps down permanently as House majority leader
|author=James Kuhnhenn
|pub=Knight Ridder
|date=January 7, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/07/AR2006010700529.html
|title=Text of Letter From DeLay to House GOP
|author=]]Associated Press|AP]]
|pub=The Washington Post
|date=January 7, 2006}}

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[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Texas]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Tom DeLay]]
[[Category:US Congress]]
[[Category:US House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Republican Party (United States)]]
[[Category:Jeff Flake]]
Republican Tom DeLay, representative from the 22nd Congressional District of Texas, announced on Saturday that he will not attempt to reclaim his majority leader position in the United States House of Representatives. Fellow Republicans, spear-headed by  (R-AZ) and Melissa Hart (R-PA), began circulating a petition last week urging to elect a new majority speaker, thus setting the stage for House leadership elections.

In a letter written and addressed to fellow House Republicans on Saturday, DeLay said, "During my time in Congress, I have always acted in an ethical manner within the rules of our body and the laws of our land."

He asked Speaker of the House  to convene a body to elect a new majority leader. "I cannot allow our adversaries to divide and distract our attention," wrote DeLay.

The 58-year-old DeLay held the leadership post for 3 years, until he was forced to relinquish it in late 2005 after he became involved in an ethics scandal. He stepped down after a Texas jury indicted him for money laundering and conspiracy, but initially planned to re-seek the majority speaker post if he was acquitted.
Politics and conflicts Texas North America United States Tom DeLay US Congress US House of Representatives Republican Party (United States) Jeff Flake