Tom Delay Is Indicted, Forced To End Role As House Majority Leader; Decries Political "Witch-hunt'; He says he didn't break campaign finance laws; Roy Blunt is interim leader.(A)

Publication: Investor's Business Daily

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Byline: BRIAN MITCHELL

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, said he would "step aside" for now from his leadership post after a Texas grand jury on Wednesday indicted him and two associates for conspiracy to evade state campaign finance laws.

"I have notified the speaker that I will temporarily step aside from my position as majority leader pursuant to rules of the House Republican Conference and the actions of the Travis County District Attorney today," DeLay said in a statement.

House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., tapped Majority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., to fill in as majority leader, with Rules Chairman David Dreier, R-Calif., helping pick up the slack.

DeLay, 53, is charged with one count of conspiring with John Colyandro and Jim Ellis to "knowingly make a political contribution" from corporate donors to state political candidates, in violation of Texas law....

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