Upon conviction of a felony offense by a court of competent jurisdiction, a Member of the leadership, a committee chairman, or a subcommittee chairman of a standing, select, joint, or ad hoc committee shall be removed from the leadership or committee position immediately.

Upon notice of return of a felony indictment against a Member of leadership, a committee chairman, or a subcommittee chairman of a standing, select, joint, or ad hoc committee, the Steering Committee shall meet and within 30 legislative days recommend to the Republican Conference what action, if any, the Conference shall take concerning said member.

"Today's rule change strengthens the very fiber of this democracy, as it protects elected officials from the vindictive actions of politically-motivated prosecutors," Franks said.  "We are innocent until proven guilty in this nation, and to change the rule so that removal is based upon a 'conviction' and not an 'indictment' is proper.  I commend my Republican colleagues for preserving the foundational integrity of the rules."