May 17, 2006

Statement of Chairman Doc Hastings

and Ranking Minority Member Howard L. Berman

Serious allegations have been made concerning the conduct of Representative Tom DeLay with respect to his participation in certain overseas trips funded by private sector entities. But for his imminent resignation from the Congress, which we understand will take place by June 9, 2006, we would have recommended to our colleagues on the Committee the formation of an investigative subcommittee to conduct a formal inquiry into those allegations. No vote on any matter concerning Representative DeLay has been taken by the Committee during the 109^th Congress.

Previously, during the 108^th Congress, the Committee had deferred action under Committee Rule 15(f) on one count of a three-count complaint against Representative DeLay filed by former Representative Christopher Bell, on the grounds that that count raised issues under Texas criminal law that, in the Committee’s view, could be better addressed by Texas courts in the first instance. In light of Representative DeLay’s announced departure from the House, we are closing that matter.