House Repeals Ethics Rules

The House voted overwhelmingly to repeal controversial rules that had kept its ethics committee from functioning. The vote is expected to pave the way for a new investigation of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The House voted 406-20 to repeal the provisions hours after House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) told reporters that he would recommend the repeal of new ethics committee rules. Critics of the new rules adopted in January had charged they were aimed at shielding DeLay from further investigations.

The Yellow Line welcomes the House vote and looks forward to seeing the results of an investigation into DeLay's activities.