WASHINGTON – Rank-and-file House Republicans on Wednesday launched a push to require every member of their leadership but Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois to face elections Feb. 2, saying the step is necessary to convince voters that the party is serious about ethics and lobbying reform.
Rep. John Sweeney, R-N.Y., planned to start circulating a petition as early as Wednesday night asking for broad elections. The move underscored that many House Republicans believe their leaders need to do more to respond to the unfolding corruption scandal involving former lobbyist Jack Abramoff if the party is going to keep its majority in the November elections.
Only days ago, House Republicans appeared set to hold a single election, to replace DeLay, who had resigned as majority leader, the No. 2 leadership position in the House. DeLay has been indicted in Texas on campaign finance-related charges unrelated to the Abramoff case.
But under Sweeney’s petition, House Republicans would hold elections for five leadership posts in addition to picking a successor to DeLay as majority leader.
“Most of this year, I have felt like our leadership needed new people at the table,” said Rep. Anne Northup, R-Ky., a conservative who normally is supportive of the leadership. “The fact is that they are tired.”
“I have not seen evidence of our leadership being able to stand up to special interests,” Northup said. “I think it is important that every person in leadership is on the spot and has to convey to us why they should continue in leadership.”
Northup said she called for all members of the leadership except Hastert to stand for election during a conference call Hastert held with Republican lawmakers on Monday. Since then, she said, she has received a rash of phone calls from lawmakers supporting her stance.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
