By Hotline staff
© National Journal Group Inc.
Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2005

The staff of The Hotline contacted all offices within the House GOP caucus at least once, looking for official statements on Tom DeLay's first indictment. Representatives without a statement either told Hotline "no comment" or had nothing public to say on the indictment.

The responses collected on this page are current through Sept. 30.

Alabama:
Jo Bonner: "Strongly supports" DeLay (Hotline reporting)

Terry Everett:

Mike Rogers: "Tom DeLay is a strong and effective leader and I hope he gets through this. He is a friend of all who respect the Second Amendment, the sanctity of life, and conservative values in government. The silver lining in all this is it's now out of the political process and in the judicial system. I am confident the people of Texas will reach a fair and impartial decision as the process moves forward" (Hotline reporting, Sept. 29).

Robert Aderholt: "Tom DeLay is a strong leader and represents the conservative values held by the majority of Alabamians. Standing up for these values has made him a target. The unfolding events are unfortunate. I have confidence in our judicial system and, based on the information that I have been given, trust that this case will soon be decided in Representative DeLay's favor" (statement, Sept. 28).

Spencer Bachus: "Until this politically inspired shenanigan subsides, Congressman DeLay should be accorded the same presumption of innocence as all other Americans" (release, Sept. 29)

Alaska:
Don Young, R-Alaska:

Arizona:
J.D. Hayworth: "... the bottom line is this is politics, pure and simple." (House, Arizona Republic, Sept. 29)

Trent Franks (R-2): "Ronnie Earle is a leftist partisan operative with no regard for justice and even less for the truth and is well known for his outrageous and vicious abuse of the indictment process... I am absolutely convinced that Tom DeLay will be completely exonerated of these false accusations and Ronnie Earle will be exposed to the world as the pitiful excuse for a prosecutor he has proven himself to be" (release)

Jim Kolbe: "It is a sad day when the reputation of the House of Representatives is damaged because a sitting member is indicted" (House, Arizona Republic, Sept. 29).

John Shadegg: "I believe it is important that the legal process for resolving this issue be followed scrupulously"(House, Arizona Republic, Sept. 29)

Jeff Flake: DeLay won't "slow Republicans down" (House, Arizona Republic, Sept. 29).

Rick Renzi:

Arkansas:
John Boozman: "Tom DeLay has been a very effective Majority Leader. He has pushed our agenda forward, but now he needs to focus on his legal defense which is why I think it is right that he be required to step down. I will not speculate on the outcome of his case as it is up to a jury to decide his guilt or innocence, not the public. I think selecting Majority Whip Roy Blunt - whose district neighbors mine - to fill in for Rep. DeLay during this time is a wise choice and I look forward to working with him to build on the Majority Leader's successes" (release, Sept. 29)

California:
Wally Herger: "Ronnie Earle yesterday continued his pattern of indicting political opponents, and we know that many of his previous indictments have been dismissed."

More Herger: "Tom DeLay is a good friend, a strong leader, and an honest and ethical man. After the legal process plays out, I look forward to his return as our nation's extremely effective majority leader."

Dan Lungren: "As the former chief law enforcement officer for the state of California, I have a concern about making off-hand comments regarding criminal charges. Mr. DeLay abided by rules set by the House Republican Conference yesterday and stepped down from his position as Majority Leader. I have full confidence that the legal system will allow the facts to be presented in an accurate manner and that a final decision will provide justice. In the meantime, I have faith that the Congress guided by the Republican leadership will continue to deliberate and pass legislation for the American people." (Hotline reporting, Sept. 29)

John Doolittle: "Tom DeLay has provided and will continue to provide our country principled and effective leadership in spite of these baseless attacks" (release, Sept. 29).

Richard Pombo:

George Radanovich:

Devin Nunes: "We know, based on history and fact, what Ronnie Earle is all about. At the end of the day, his partisan exploitation of the justice system will be thwarted and Mr. DeLay will be cleared of these baseless accusations." (release, Sept. 29)

Bill Thomas: "Under Tom DeLay's capable leadership, Congress has passed legislation that positively impacts all Americans. Tom has laid out a comprehensive agenda for the 109th Congress and political attacks will not affect that goal. I look forward to continuing to work with Tom and other Members to achieve our legislative priorities" (Hotline reporting, Sept. 29).

Elton Gallegly:

Buck McKeon:

David Dreier: "We are united in our determination to move forward for the good of the country, the Conference and our agenda. Tom DeLay's leadership has given us all a path to follow" (release, Sept. 28).

Ed Royce:

Jerry Lewis:

Gary Miller:

Ken Calvert:

Mary Bono:

Dana Rohrabacher:"Tom DeLay is being forced to step down because of a ludicrous GOP rule that demands that an indicted member of congress must temporarily resign from a position of leadership. The Democrats do not have this rule. Unfortunately, the rule has made Republicans vulnerable to political shenanigans such as this indictment against Tom DeLay. The only reason for this backhanded political maneuver was to harm Tom DeLay who has been a great leader and one of the most effective Majority Leaders in history. This dirty move has not saddened House Republicans but angered us and will propel us to pursue our agenda for American even more vigorously" (release, Sept. 30).

Darrell Issa:

Duke Cunningham:

Duncan Hunter:"Congressman DeLay has been a tremendous leader in the House and has always served his constituency well. It is important that we don't rush to judgment in this particular case as the facts will certainly present themselves. During this time, it is also important that we proceed with our obligations and responsibilities, and ensure we continue addressing the needs of the American people" (release, Sept. 29).

Colorado:
Marilyn Musgrave: "It is important for Mr. DeLay to have his day in court before judgement is passed down."

Joel Hefley: "I'm sorry Tom is caught up in this thing."

Tom Tancredo: "Even though I have been a critic of Tom DeLay, I think this is pretty much a witch hunt... If he [DeLay], at that point [earlier in the summer when Tancredo called on him to give up his leadership post] said, 'I'm going to step down as majority leader,' we would not now be in the position of him being forced to step down" (Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News, Sept. 29).

Bob Beauprez: These charges are clearly motivated by internal Texas political rivalries that go back several years. I believe it is important that Congressman DeLay be afforded the same presumption of innocence given to any other American before he has his day in court (Hotline reporting, Sept. 29)

Connecticut:
Rob Simmons: "I am concerned about the allegations made against Tom DeLay... "That being said, let's not forget that an indictment is not a conviction. We still have due process in this country" (release, Sept. 29)

Christopher Shays: "I think Tom should've stepped down in January. By stepping down now, he did what is consistent with our Republican Conference rules," (release, Sept. 29). More Shays: "People need to make sure they play by the rules, that, when they get close to the edge, they give people excuses and maybe very legitimate ones to be critical of them. So, time will sort this out. But the important thing, I think, is, our rules are clear. If you're an indicted leader, you need to step down from your leadership post. Tom did what our rules require him to do" ("Hardball," MSNBC, Sept. 28).

Nancy Johnson:

Delaware:
Rep.Mike Castle:"Upon his indictment in the State of Texas, Representative Tom DeLay today appropriately adhered to House Rules and stepped aside as Majority Leader of the House of Representatives. As the legal process moves forward in Texas, the Congress must follow the rules in electing a temporary Majority Leader. We did that this afternoon in the person of Representative Roy Blunt, presently the Whip, who will serve as a stable leader, with the help of Representatives David Dreier, presently the Chairman of the House Rules Committee, and Eric Cantor, presently the Chief Deputy Whip, in uniting the party and organizing efforts to deliver on our agenda for the American people" (release, Sept. 28).

Florida:
Jeff Miller: "Obviously, you have to see how it plays out... An indictment is not a conviction. The judicial process will work itself out" (Pensacola News-Journal, Sept. 29).

Ander Crenshaw:

Ginny Brown-Waite:

Cliff Stearns:

John Mica: Blunt's "very gentle" style is different from DeLay (Litvan, Bloomberg, Sept. 29).

Ric Keller:

Mike Bilirakis:

Bill Young:

Adam Putnam:

Katherine Harris:

Connie Mack:

Dave Weldon: "I read the indictment. The sheer vagueness and absence of any specifics or evidence is appalling (Wheeler, Florida Today, Sept. 29)

Mark Foley: "By stepping aside, Tom DeLay has allowed us to move forward on very critical business such as hurricane relief. I thank the Speaker for keeping us focused. As for DeLay himself, it's important to remind ourselves that in our country, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. He deserves the benefit of the doubt" (Hotline reporting, Sept. 29).

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: "You know the old adage is that a grand jury can indict a ham sandwich. Well, this is a ham sandwich indictment with one correction. There's no ham in the sandwich. Where's the beef?" ("LKL," CNN, Sept. 28).

Lincoln Diaz-Balart:

Mario Diaz-Balart: "Despite today's news, I remain an adamant and strong supporter of Tom DeLay. He is an amazing and strong leader who has been a trustworthy ally for Florida... I am appalled at this political witch hunt of a good and decent man. Ronnie Earle has targeted DeLay because he has been an exceptionally effective majority leader. He couldn't get five previous grand juries to indict DeLay so he kept going until he found one that would. In a desperate attempt, Earle trumps up a long-shot sham charge of conspiracy because he has no real proof of any wrongdoing. This is unfortunately another ridiculous addition to Earle's established record of indicting and leaking inadmissible documents to satisfy political vendettas. I remain confident that Tom DeLay will be fully exonerated of this charge" (release, Sept. 28).

Clay Shaw: "I am not surprised with the indictment handed down today because Ronnie Earle and the Democrats have been on a political witch-hunt for some time now with the Majority Leader as their target. In our judicial system, a person is innocent until proven guilty, and the partisan hacks who are looking to make headlines on the taxpayer dime should remember that" (release, Sept. 28).

Tom Feeney: "Reversing the rules so that indicted leaders must step down "was like waving a red flag to Ronnie Earle" (Murray/VandeHei, Washington Post, Sept. 29)

More Feeney: "There is a cloud until the cases are resolved, and the earlier we have a trial and resolution, the happier all of us will be" (Balz, Washington Post, Sept. 29).

Georgia:
Jack Kingston: "With Tom stepping aside we are abiding by the rules of the Conference. But fortunately it has been a seamless transition because Roy has been a great understudy of the Majority Leader's office and has the full confidence of this Conference. Now more than ever we need to focus on issues like illegal immigration, lowering gas prices, winning the war on terrorism, fundamental tax reform, strengthening Social Security, and responsibly rebuilding the Gulf Coast. I am confident that our team will do just that" (Hotline reporting, Sept. 29).

Tom Price: "What we do here in Washington is not about who, it's about what. We have an opportunity to bring greater focus to a principled agenda - issues the American people want addressed - winning the war on terror, lowering taxes, and ensuring affordable and quality healthcare" (Hotline reporting, Sept. 29).

John Linder:"To wait to indict Mr. DeLay until the last minute, of the last hour, of the last day, shows how politically motivated this indictment is. If they had a case against DeLay, he would have been indicted previously with the other two" (release, Sept. 29).

Lynn Westmoreland: "I fully believe that Tom DeLay is the victim of a Texas political witch hunt, perpetrated by a partisan Democratic district attorney" (Shepard/Copelin, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sept. 29)

Charlie Norwood: "I am disappointed that what I believe to be totally trumped-up charges by a partisan hack have resulted in a formal indictment against Tom DeLay. I believe a trial will show these charges to be bogus. In the meantime, I respect Mr. Davis' full compliance with our adopted rules that any member under any indictment for a serious offense step down from leadership posts until the issue is resolved" (Hotline reporting, Sept. 29).

Nathan Deal:

Phil Gingrey: "In the United States of America, you are innocent until proven guilty. Mr. DeLay has been indicted by a partisan prosecutor with a history of pursuing conservative politicians on erroneous charges. Mr. DeLay has been an incredibly effective leader, in both Texas and Washington, so it doesn't surprise me that Democrats are grasping for any opportunity to pin a charge on him. Unlike the Democrats, our Republican majority has a self-imposed rule that an indicted Member must temporarily step down from a leadership role. While I have expressed my displeasure with this rule in the past, I believe Mr. DeLay abided by the rule with grace and fortitude. Under the temporary leadership of Mr. Blunt, Republicans will continue advocating for our ideas and passing good legislation for the American people" (release, Sept. 29).

Idaho:
Butch Otter:

Mike Simpson: "Tom DeLay, like everyone else in our nation, is entitled to a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. My personal view of the situation is that this is yet another unfortunate consequence of the destructive 'gotcha' politics that are all too common in today's political environment. I continue to support Tom DeLay as a leading figure in our party, appreciate his service to our party and nation, and believe he will emerge from this ordeal stronger than ever" (release, Sept. 28).

Illinois:
Henry Hyde:

Mark Kirk:

Jerry Weller:"The thing to remember is that under the laws of this country it's relatively easy for a prosecutor to bring an indictment. Just as our justice system presumes that an individual is innocent until proven guilty, I assume that my colleagues in Congress our innocent until proven guilty, be they Democrat or Republican. Mr. DeLay will now have his day in court" (release, Sept. 28).

Judy Biggert:

Dennis Hastert: "We stand firmly behind Tom DeLay and ask that he be afforded the same rights as every other American - that he is innocent until proven otherwise. Still, the work of the House of Representatives must continue. We will tackle the hard issues of helping Hurricane Katrina victims and rebuilding the Gulf Coast, cutting spending, strengthening our economy and reforming immigration. We have an ambitious agenda to improve the lives of the American people and it will go forward" (release, Sept. 29)

More Hastert: "He will fight this, and we will give him our utmost support" (Smith, Washington Post, Sept. 29).

Tim Johnson:

Don Manzullo: "Today, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay was indicted for alleged improper campaign activities surrounding the state elections in Texas. Majority Leader DeLay has decided to comply with House Republican rules and step down temporarily from his leadership position while the charges are pending. Speaker Hastert has appointed Majority Whip Roy Blunt to assume the Majority Leader duties temporarily, and the work of the House will proceed on schedule" (release, Sept. 28).

Ray LaHood: "Tom DeLay has got a lot of fight and you don't get to be [leader] without being a tough individual... I think he's honed his political skills over time to overcome the kind of adversity maybe other people couldn't withstand. He's a tough guy" (Cohn, CongressDailyAM, Sept. 30).

More LaHood: "Tom DeLay was a bigger-than-life leader.... Our conference is in flux, there's no question about it" (Curtius, Los Angeles Times, Sept. 30).

John Shimkus:

Indiana:
Chris Chocola: "One of the great things about this county is that all citizens are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Now it is time for the legal process to run its course. The decisive action the Republican conference took today will ensure that we will continue to focus on the issues that are important to the people of the Second District of Indiana as we finish the first session of the 109th Congress" (release, Sept. 28).

Mark Souder:

Steve Buyer:

Dan Burton: "I think today's indictment is just another effort to create political hay, and attempt to destroy Tom DeLay, who has been very effective in Texas and Washington. I have talked to leading attorneys about Tom DeLay's situation and they tell me that this is a trumped up charge, and that there's no valid reason for this indictment to come down. Mr. Earle is once again using political and partisan moves in an attempt to destroy Tom DeLay and make political miles throughout the country, and I don't think it will fly" (release, Sept. 28).

Mike Pence: "The temporary departure of Tom DeLay as the Majority Leader of the United States House of Representatives is a loss to the Republican Majority in Congress and the nation. Throughout his public career, Tom DeLay has been a dynamic voice for limited government and traditional moral values and his voice will be missed during the duration of his absence. The great genius of the American judicial system is that every American, from the great to the small, can be confident that they will receive the presumption of innocence, due process and justice in the courtrooms of our nation. We offer our prayers and good wishes, confident that Tom DeLay and his family will be afforded no less in their ordeal" (release, Sept. 29).

John Hostettler:

Mike Sodrel:

Iowa:
Jim Nussle:

Jim Leach: "It is a sad day for any institution of government, particularly the people's house, when one of its members is alleged to have broken the law. Under party rules, Tom DeLay has appropriately relinquished his post as the second-ranking leader in the House. I do not know if he has violated the law; that is for the courts to determine. But I do know that, like all Americans, he should be afforded the opportunity to rebut in a credible forum the allegations leveled against him" (release, Sept. 28)

Tom Latham:

Steve King:

Kansas:
Jerry Moran:

Jim Ryun:"Tom DeLay did the right thing and stepped down from his post as Majority Leader" (Clarkin, Hutchinson News, Sept. 30).

Todd Tiahrt: "The indictment against Tom DeLay comes from a well-known, politically-partisan Democrat. Because of Tom's proven effectiveness as a leader, he is an obvious target for political gain from those who don't like his success. For more than a decade, Democrats have been launching baseless attacks and accusations against the Majority Leader without success" (statement, Sept. 28).

Kentucky:
Ed Whitfield:

Rep.Ron Lewis: "Obviously this is a trying time for Congressman DeLay and his family. I hope there will be a quick and fair resolution" (Hotline reporting, Sept. 29)

Anne Northup:

Geoff Davis:

Hal Rogers:

Louisiana:
Bobby Jindal:

Jim McCrery:

Rodney Alexander:

Richard Baker:

Charlie Boustany: "I have every confidence that the House conference will remained unified in their determination to push forward with legislation to better the lives of the American people. I am focused on providing strong leadership for my constituents in Louisiana as we try to rebuild a state that has been destroyed by natural disasters" (Hotline reporting, Sept. 29).

Maryland:
Wayne Gilchrest:

Roscoe Bartlett: "For liberals and democrats, Tom DeLay's unforgivable crime is that he's one of the most effective conservative leaders in Congress. I say that as a conservative member of Congress. Today's indictment of Tom DeLay by a Democratic prosecutor with a long record of failed indictments against Republican officials reminds me of how proud and lucky I am to be an American. In America, individuals are privileged to enjoy a right of due process. In our Republic, charges of misconduct have to be proved with evidence in a courtroom according to the Rule of Law, not by opinions, or polls, or media commentaries" (release, Sept. 29).

Michigan:
Peter Hoekstra:

Rep.Vernon Ehlers:

Dave Camp:

Fred Upton:

Joe Schwarz: "Congressman DeLay has been an effective legislator and leader for the Republican Party. I am a firm believer that all accused are innocent until proven guilty and Congressman DeLay will have the opportunity to vindicate himself of these claims. In the meantime, I will focus on continuing my work in the 109th Congress" (release, Sept. 29).

Mike Rogers: "The House will choose a new temporary majority leader and move forward without distraction from dealing with the critical issues before us, including our economy and job markets, spending, gasoline prices, affordable health care, and immigration reform" (release, Sept. 29).

Joe Knollenberg:"The rules of the Republican Conference are clear. If any member of Republican leadership is legally indicted, then they must step down from their elected leadership position. My colleagues and I voted for these rules, and we must follow them. As such, Tom DeLay has temporarily resigned his leadership role in the House but still retains his position as an elected Representative from Texas. Tom DeLay has an obligation to face his indictment. However, regardless of the outcome, we know that he has been a steadfast and effective leader for the Republican Majority," (release, Sept. 28).

Candice Miller:

Thaddeus McCotter:

Minnesota:
Gil Gutknecht:

John Kline:

Jim Ramstad:

Mark Kennedy:"We have a system of laws bigger than any one man or any one office. Tom DeLay will have to deal with the case down in Texas, the same as any American citizen," (release, Sept. 28).

Mississippi:
Roger Wicker:

Chip Pickering:

Missouri:
Todd Akin:"Tom DeLay has led the House Republican majority during a difficult time for the nation as we have dealt with everything from the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 to the devastation of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He deserves thanks for what he has done to make America stronger and safer. The partisan attack on Tom DeLay is unfounded and Tom will, I believe, be exonerated of the baseless charges leveled against him," (release, Sept. 28).

Sam Graves:

Roy Blunt: "Our team has the very big shoes of Tom DeLay to fill temporarily. Under the strong leadership of the Speaker, we will work hard to do what Tom would do--complete our work, and move forward with a positive agenda for the American people-until he returns," (release, Sept. 29).

More Blunt: "Tom DeLay's effectiveness as majority leader is the best explanation for what happened in Texas today," (Shenon/Hulse, New York Times, Sept. 29).

Yet More Blunt: "What we do here is more important than who we are," (Hananel, AP, Sept. 29).

Jo Ann Emerson: "I hold Rep. Blunt in the highest regard. He has done a great job as Majority Whip. My Republican colleagues and I have the utmost confidence in his ability to serve as temporary Majority Leader. Rep. Blunt is the right choice because of the seamless transition achieved by elevating him from one leadership role to another. We have a lot of business to conduct in the House before adjournment, and Rep. Blunt knows the agenda, he knows the members, and he will hit the ground running," (release, Sept. 29).

Kenny Hulshof:

Montana:
Dennis Rehberg:

Nebraska:
Jeff Fortenberry: "The American people deserve the highest ethical standards from their leadership. Our rules in the House are more stringent than the law, requiring Majority Leader DeLay to temporarily step out of his leadership role. It is important that Congress continue the work that the American people sent us here to do. Hopefully partisan politics will not interfere with the pursuit of a just outcome," (release, Sept. 28).

Lee Terry: "Tom DeLay has effectively served his Texas constituents for 11 terms in the Congress and as the Majority Whip and Leader since 1994. Whether this is the result of an overzealous, partisan prosecutor or an overzealous Majority Leader has yet to be determined. The court and jury will decide and as a member of the bar, I have faith in the legal system and the judicial process," (release, Sept. 29)

Tom Osborne:

Nevada:
Jim Gibbons: "I think Tom did the right thing by stepping down. He has the benefit of being innocent until proven guilty," (Struglinski, Las Vegas Sun, Sept. 29).

Jon Porter: "While the allegations surrounding Mr. DeLay are very serious, now is the time to let the criminal justice system run its course. A full investigation will determine whether or not any wrongdoing took place, and what appropriate actions should be taken. As House rules dictate, Mr. DeLay has stepped aside from his leadership post while the investigation continues. In his place, I have no doubt that Congressman Roy Blunt will do an admirable job in leading House Republicans as we continue to pursue an aggressive agenda," (Hotline reporting, Sept. 29).

New Hampshire:
Jeb Bradley: "His federal election PAC, ARMPAC (Americans for a Republican Majority), which has contributed to my campaign, is not under investigation. However, to remove any questions that may arise about his contributions, I will be returning these funds from his federal PAC," (Union Leader, Sept. 29).

Charlie Bass: "The House Republican Conference rules, which I supported, require that members of the leadership relinquish their responsibilities if indicted. Congressman DeLay has stepped down from his position as Majority Leader in response to an indictment. I believe the rules are appropriate, and their application is justified in this instance," (release, Sept. 28).

New Jersey:
Frank LoBiondo: "While today's announcement is certainly unfortunate, I agree with Majority Leader DeLay in his decision to temporarily step aside from his leadership position. It is important that the legal process now be permitted to fully run its course and the facts behind these charges come to surface," (release, Sept. 28).

Jim Saxton:

Chris Smith: "Tom DeLay has temporarily removed himself as Majority Leader as required by House Rules. He has stated that he has done no wrong and it is important that he be given the same presumption of innocence afforded to every other American. I believe it is essential - for the good of the country - that this case is decided expeditiously after a comprehensive review of the relevant facts," (release, Sept. 29).

Scott Garrett: "I believe Mr. DeLay took the appropriate action, pursuant to House Republican rules, in temporarily stepping aside today. However, in our judicial system all accused remain innocent until guilt is proven and a process must work itself out. While Mr. DeLay's name is being cleared, I look forward to implementing a robust, fiscally responsible agenda for people of New Jersey's 5th District at a time when Congress should be focused on serious policy work, not partisan politics and personal attacks," (release, Sept. 28).

Mike Ferguson: "In America, everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and I believe it's appropriate to let the legal process work," (Cahir, Lehigh Valley Express-Times, Sept. 29).

Rodney Frelinghuysen:

New York:
Peter King: "It's the first day of a war... It's an attack on Republican leadership," (Palmer, Newsday, Sept. 29).

More King: "This was a cheap shot against Tom DeLay, and he was indicted because he was majority leader. If we abandon Tom DeLay, we're abandoning ourselves," (Hook/Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, Sept. 29).

Vito Fossella:

Sue Kelly:

John Sweeney: "Every American has the right to due process and his or her day in court. It is my hope that the public will provide the opportunity for the facts to be discerned so that the appropriate outcome may be achieved," (release, Sept. 28).

John McHugh:

Sherwood Boehlert:

Jim Walsh:

Tom Reynolds: "The Majority Leader has been a highly effective leader of our conference. Democrats resent Tom DeLay because he routinely defeats them -- both politically and legislatively... Until Majority Leader Tom DeLay has his day in court, it is vitally important he be afforded the same presumption of innocence afforded to every other American," (release, Sept. 28)

More Reynolds: "I think we need to see what role Tom DeLay seeks to have... His counsel is so good," (Davis, CongressDailyPM, Sept. 29).

Randy Kuhl:

North Carolina:
Walter Jones:

Virgina Foxx:

Howard Coble: "An indictment is not a conviction... We should allow the legal system to do its work. I look forward to working with our leadership team to advance the causes of smaller government, lower taxes, eliminating terrorism, and providing affordable health care, among other issues. Also, if Tom DeLay is cleared of this one count, I look forward to welcoming him back to his leadership post," (release, Sept. 29).

Robin Hayes: "I believe that Americans are innocent until proven guilty. I am skeptical given the fact that Ronnie Earle has a history of getting indictments against public figures that are later thrown out by impartial courts. I am confident that our legal system will prevail and the appropriate conclusions will be made," (Hotline reporting, Sept. 29).

Sue Myrick:

Patrick McHenry: "This charge against Congressman DeLay is nothing more than a partisan attack. Ronnie Earle's indictment is simply the legal ranting of an angry liberal with an axe to grind. He has a long history of using his legal witch hunts to raise money for the Democrat agenda - even bragging about his attacks on DeLay as host of $100,000 fundraiser for Democrats. His previous schemes haven't succeeded in court - namely the 1993 indictment of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson - which the judge threw out. This guy is the water boy for the liberal's attacks. This charge is a sham and the highest level of political hackery," (release, Sept. 28).

Charles Taylor:

Ohio:
Steve Chabot:

Jean Schmidt: "I was surprised at the announcement this morning that the Travis County, Texas prosecutor had indicted Leader Delay. I am anxious, as I am sure Tom is to see all of the facts considered in a court of law.... Under Republican rules he must step down as the Leader while he fights this charge. Roy Blunt will become our interim Leader through this process. I have full confidence in Roy."

Mike Turner: "As Majority Whip, Roy Blunt has been an important and effective part of the Republican leadership team. This is a critical time in our nation's history. We are about to begin crafting the reconstruction and rebuilding package for the Gulf States. Simultaneously, we must continue to protect the homeland by winning the war on terror. Mr. Blunt is an effective leader to see the House through these challenges. I look forward to continuing to work with him," (Hotline reporting, Sept. 30).

Mike Oxley:

Paul Gillmor: "Tom DeLay is facing a political indictment, not a judicial one. He deserves to have a presumption of innocence applied to him now which has not been afforded to him since this investigation began. Majority Leader DeLay has been subjected to a double standard which has never been applied to Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who has already been convicted and fined by the Federal Election Commission. This has been judicial politics at its worst but the Republican Party will remain strong and continue as the ethical leader of the U.S. House."

David Hobson:

John Boehner: "Tom is a fighter, and no one should underestimate his ability to beat what appears to be a politically motivated indictment," (Hotline reporting, Sept. 30).

Pat Tiberi:

Steve LaTourette:"People are upset... It's not a good day for the home team," (Hook/Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, Sept. 29).

Deborah Pryce: "Today, our Conference is as unified as ever in our determination to advance the people's agenda. In Roy Blunt, David Dreier, and Eric Cantor House Republicans have a leadership team that will continue to produce results for our Conference and the American people," (release, Sept. 28).

Ralph Regula:

Bob Ney:

Oklahoma:
John Sullivan:

Frank Lucas:

Tom Cole: "If we can do something positive -- on Katrina relief or immigration reform -- we'll be fine by the end of the year," (Hook, Los Angeles Times, Sept. 29)

More Cole: "Members know this is a very difficult moment -- if we don't hang together we fall apart," (VandeHei/Goldstein, Washington Post, Sept. 30).

Ernest Istook:

Oregon:
Greg Walden:

Pennsylvania:
Phil English: "Under the House Republican Conference rules, Mr. DeLay is required to step aside as Majority Leader until this case is resolved. I am pleased that Mr. DeLay took quick action and announced a leave of absence from his leadership post. It was the right thing to do," (Hotline reporting, Sept. 28).

Melissa Hart: "The best possible result of this indictment is to expose the truth, to protect the integrity of the United States Congress and maintain the bond of trust between the American people and their elected officials. These are very serious charges and we should allow the legal process to work."

John Peterson:

Jim Gerlach: "The indictment against Mr. DeLay is a very serious matter. Like all Americans, he is entitled to a presumption of innocence until proven otherwise and I hope the criminal justice system in Texas moves forward swiftly to resolve this charge. In the meantime, it was necessary and appropriate, as House rules dictate, for Mr. DeLay to immediately resign as Majority Leader, which he did this afternoon. I then voted today for Mr. Roy Blunt of Missouri to be the new Majority Leader of the House so we can move forward with the people's business," (release, Sept. 28).

Curt Weldon: "We must be cautious not to rush to judgment on this matter, as the district attorney who indicted Tom DeLay has a history of questionable motives in his indictment of Republican political figures in the past. This is a serious matter nonetheless, and I reserve judgment until all of the facts have been presented. I look forward to working with Roy Blunt as Majority Leader in the absence of Tom DeLay, and House Republicans remain unified in addressing the nation's needs," (release, Sept. 30).

Mike Fitzpatrick:

Bill Shuster:

Don Sherwood:

Charlie Dent:

Joseph Pitts: "I'm deeply troubled by these allegations and deeply suspicious of the motives of those bringing them. Tom DeLay is an effective leader and has had a target on his back for years. This prosecutor has been gunning for him and he clearly has a partisan agenda. But this nation is governed by laws, not by men. A court of law will decide Tom's fate, not a vindictive Democratic prosecutor. Let's allow the process to take its course. In the meantime, we have work to do. And Roy is just the guy we need to get the job done," (release, Sept. 28).

Tim Murphy: "The American legal system is based on the concept of innocent until proven guilty. Our founding fathers created an independent judicial system, free of political motivations, to ensure everyone has a fair trial in front of a jury of his peers. Until Majority Leader DeLay has his day in court, he should not be judged in the court of public opinion or the media. The court will be able to separate fact from fiction and I have faith a proper legal decision will be made in the case," (release, Sept. 28)

Todd Platts:

South Carolina:
Henry Brown:

Joe Wilson: "Congressman Tom DeLay has been one of the most effective leaders in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives.... While Congressman DeLay's effectiveness has greatly helped American families, it has unfortunately motivated his critics. By issuing an indictment today against Mr. DeLay, Liberal Democrat Ronnie Earle is demonstrating politics at its worst and is continuing his personal vendetta against Republican leaders. In 1994, Earle indicted U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and his charges were proved false. I am confident that Congressman DeLay will also be vindicated from this blatant, partisan attack," (release, Sept. 28).

Gresham Barrett: "The news of the indictment of Representative DeLay by a Travis County Grand Jury is disappointing. We must allow the legal process to move forward, he should be afforded the same presumption of innocence we give to all Americans," said Barrett. "However, no citizen, elected official or not, is above the law - if Rep. DeLay is found guilty in a court of law then he should be held accountable," (release, Sept. 28).

Bob Inglis: "Within three hours, a replacement was unanimously named. I hope today is an indication of how small a disruption this is going to be to the legislative process for the rest of this Congress," (release, Sept. 29).

Tennessee:
Bill Jenkins:

John Duncan: "Two long-time former judges from Texas who sat on the bench for more than 20 years each and now serve in Congress have told me and the entire Conference that Ronnie Earle is one of the most partisan prosecutors in the whole country, that this investigation is a political witch hunt, and that they are certain this indictment will not lead to a conviction," (Hotline reporting, Sept. 30).

Zach Wamp: "It may be a witch hunt, but it is a huge problem... He will probably be exonerated in the long term, but that is a long time," (Shenon/Hulse, New York Times, Sept. 29).

More Wamp: "If the election were in six weeks, we'd be in big trouble.... But it's not," (Kiely/Stone, USA Today, Sept. 29).

Yet More Wamp: "I don't think everyone's sure [DeLay will return]; I think everyone's rooting for him.... The reality of the ordeal he faces is not as rosy as everyone's hopes and aspirations," (Davis, CongressDailyPM, Sept. 29).

Marsha Blackburn: "I'm not a lawyer, and I won't pretend to be, but we all know Ronnie Earle's been out to get Tom DeLay and a lot of other conservatives for a long time. He targeted Senator Hutchison in the '90s and he's going after Tom DeLay now. Earle prosecutes conservatives by day and hosts Democratic Party fundraisers by evening. Texas has chosen to elect conservatives and he simply cannot accept that. Representative DeLay needs to take this to court and let the people of Texas decide. They'll be the ultimate judge of this matter. If this case has been an attempt to thwart the work of conservatives in Congress, it has failed," (Hotline reporting, Sept. 29).

More Blackburn: "He deserves his day in court. I don't know all the details of the case, but if you break the rules, you break the rules," (Madden, Nashville Tennessean, Sept. 29).

Texas:
Louie Gohmert:

Ted Poe:

Sam Johnson: "Majority Leader Tom DeLay is a tremendous leader of the Republican party. His only interest is a better America. Ronnie Earle and his Democrat cronies set out three years ago to bring Tom down at all costs.The bogus charge today is nothing more than a Democrat partisan plan to ruin Tom DeLay. It was widely reported that Ronnie Earle attended a Democrat Party fundraising event when he publicly bragged about his efforts to get the Majority Leader. Why wasn't Ronnie that forthcoming with information during his secret investigation? Sadly, Ronnie Earle's political ambition has blinded him from seeking the real truth. I know Tom DeLay will emerge from this stronger than ever. I'm convinced justice will prevail and Tom will be vindicated," (release, Sept. 28).

Ralph Hall: "My normal reaction to an indictment is that everyone is innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. Tom DeLay is a highly respected Republican leader. He has dedicated his life to the Republican Party, to the State of Texas and to the Nation, and he deserves the same presumption of innocence as anyone else. I have never doubted his sincerity nor his devotion to those he represents, his State and our Nation. In such a highly publicized case, with a Democratic prosecutor and a Republican defendant, it is in the best interests of the district Mr. DeLay represents and his fellow Members of the House of Representatives that he not be denied the right to a speedy trial... Tom DeLay is entitled to fair and equal justice, and this should be the goal of both the prosecution and the defense," (release, Sept. 28)

Jeb Hensarling: "It is a sad day when our legal process is used for political purposes. Unlike Democrats, Republicans have a rule in place to maintain public trust in our leadership. I truly believe that at the end of the day, justice will be served, Tom DeLay will be completely vindicated, and he will return as our leader," (release, Sept. 28).

Joe Barton: "Tom DeLay has been an effective advocate and one of the strongest leaders this House has ever seen. I have confidence in Majority Leader DeLay's integrity and honesty and will be supportive of him as he continues his service to Congress and the nation," (release, Sept. 30).

John Culberson:"The indictment of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay is proof that Ronnie Earle is nothing more than a hatchet man for the Democratic Party who uses his position as Travis County District Attorney to attack his political opponents. He and his Democratic supporters are targeting Tom DeLay for the same reason that Confederate General Stonewall Jackson always ordered his troops to shoot the brave ones first because it will scare the others. Tom DeLay was indicted because he is the most effective leader in the United States Congress. The Democrats could not beat him in the House of Representatives or at the ballot box, so they changed the venue and manipulated the rules of the game in a last ditch effort to derail him and our Republican agenda. Tom DeLay is an honest and decent man who always does the right thing for the right reasons. I stand behind Tom DeLay 100 percent, and I am confident that he will be proven innocent and regain his position as Majority Leader," (release, Sept. 30).

Kevin Brady: "Integrity in government is essential. People deserve to know the truth and finally we'll get to see all the facts. As for me, the Tom DeLay I know is principled and respects the law. He is an extremely effective leader for Texas and our nation" (release, Sept. 28).

Michael McCaul: "We all must keep in mind the fact that in America's system of justice we are all innocent until proven otherwise" (release, Sept. 29).

Mike Conaway: "I have worked with the Majority Leader on numerous occasions and found him to be honest and sincere in doing what is best for our country. Majority Leader DeLay has led the Conservative Movement and the United States House of Representatives in an extraordinarily effective manner, and he has earned my sincere respect and admiration. Regrettably, his success has made him the target of a partisan political effort that seeks to undermine that success. I am confident that Majority Leader DeLay will persevere and that he will emerge as an even stronger force in our efforts to move America forward" (release, Sept. 28)

Kay Granger:

Mac Thornberry: "The charges against Mr. DeLay should proceed through the legal system as they would for any other citizen. No one is above the law, and each person is entitled to equal and impartial treatment. This prosecutor has a track record of political indictments which get thrown out, such as the one he brought against Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson a few years ago. I expect that this one will have a similar outcome. In the meantime, we are following the rules of the House Republican Conference; Mr. DeLay has stepped aside as Majority Leader and a substitute has been selected. We will not be distracted from our essential work on the critical issues facing the nation" (Hotline reporting, Sept. 29)

Ron Paul:

Randy Neugebauer:

Lamar Smith: "An indictment is merely an allegation...Tom DeLay is entitled to the presumption of innocence and a speedy trial" (Martin, San Antonio Express-News, Sept. 29).

Henry Bonilla: "Everyone has to do what they think is best for their political future. If you're afraid of keeping Tom DeLay's PAC money, you're probably afraid of your own shadow" (Stone, USA Today, Sept. 30).

Kenny Marchant: "I am very disappointed that Ronnie Earle has chosen to go the partisan route and indict Tom DeLay. I am positive that once the facts come out and a trial is held, Mr. DeLay will be exonerated. I still consider Tom DeLay a very good friend and wish him the best" (Hotline reporting, Sept. 29).

Michael Burgess: "In this country one is innocent unless proven guilty of a crime. The current situation encircling Leader DeLay turns the legal system on its head. We are now administering punishment after an unsubstantiated accusation. There has been no conviction. Tom DeLay has hired a good legal team, and I have confidence in their ability. I believe Leader DeLay will prevail"(release, Sept. 29).

John Carter: I am shocked that after a half-a-dozen grand juries and a two year long investigation that Travis County District Attorney's office was finally able to find a grand jury to indict Tom DeLay. I am confident in the justice system and convinced that justice will prevail and Tom DeLay will be acquitted. However, it is unfortunate that DeLay is being punished for an accusation by losing his leadership post. This is far cry from what I believe in and what the American Justice system prescribes - punishment after conviction" (release, Sept. 28).

Pete Sessions: I stand firmly behind Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who has for some time been the subject of what appears to be an unbalanced and politically-motivated investigation by Travis County prosecutor Ronnie Earle. Mr. Earle has a long history of using his office against his political enemies, and today's last minute indictment is evidence that he shows no sign of changing his habits. On this, the last day of the most recent of multiple grand juries Mr. Earle has convened against the Majority Leader, he is once again fishing for a reason - any reason - to cast aspersions against an individual who just one month ago he said was not the target of his investigation. Mr. Earle has been criticized time and again for the unfairness of his actions. In this case, his prosecutorial actions warrant criticism once again, for they appear contrived simply to bring down Majority Leader DeLay. I continue to support the Majority Leader against Mr. Earle's scurrilous claims, and I am confident that further investigation will shed light on the true motivation and malicious intent of this indictment" (release, Sept. 28).

Utah:
Rob Bishop: Tom DeLay is a skilled leader and an accomplished lawmaker. He has, therefore, political enemies who wish to damage him politically. To charge with 'conspiracy' to commit a crime rather than an actual crime, casts clouds of doubt as to the validity of the indictment and the evidence used. I have always thought that this investigation was more politically motivated than factually based. I continue to believe that. The filing of an indictment does not mean Congressman DeLay is guilty. There will be a lengthy legal road ahead, and until or unless it can be proven otherwise, the Majority Leader will be presumed innocent" (release, Sept. 28).

Chris Cannon: "We are going to wait and see what happens... The stories I am hearing suggest this is far more political than an indictment would suggest" (Deseret Morning News, Sept. 29).

Virginia:
Jo Ann Davis:

Thelma Drake:

Randy Forbes:

Virgil Goode:

Bob Goodlatte: "The House Republican Conference is unified in its resolve to move our agenda forward for the American people. I have great confidence in Roy Blunt's ability to lead as the temporary House Majority Leader. He has already shown the ability as Majority Whip, working with Tom DeLay, to move through the House many pieces of major legislation important to our nation," (release, Sept. 29).

Eric Cantor: "I'm pleased that House Republicans came together in a unanimous vote to assemble a team that will continue to lead our agenda through the House. This temporary arrangement will allow us to continue our work until Tom DeLay can resume his duties as Majority Leader" (release, Sept. 28).

Frank Wolf:

Tom Davis: "Under the law, the RNC could do whatever they wanted to with that money. They were not beholden to Tom DeLay. The fact that they took his advice is not necessarily a crime" ("Hardball," MSNBC, Sept. 28).

Washington:
Doc Hastings:

Cathy McMorris:

Dave Reichert:

West Virginia:
Shelley Moore Capito:

Wisconsin:
Paul Ryan:

James Sensenbrenner: "In America, no one is above the law, but everyone also deserves the right to counter charges against them in a court of law. I have the utmost confidence in our justice system to put politics aside and consider these serious charges in a fair and just manner. As this case proceeds, my colleagues in Congress and I will continue to work to address issues that affect all Americans. Given all that's happened over the past few weeks, Congress needs to focus on the business of the nation, instead of being distracted by reports from Texas courts." (release, Sept. 28).

Tom Petri:

Mark Green:

Wyoming:
Barbara Cubin: "We need to allow the legal process to play out, and when it does I'm sure that he will be cleared of these partisan chages." (AP, Sept. 29).

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