DeLay Lands Coveted Appropriations Spot

Folks, we know you've been waiting for another exciting episode of The Tom DeLay Comedy Hour! This is from Yahoo News:

WASHINGTON - Indicted Rep. Tom DeLay, forced to step down as the No. 2 Republican in the House, scored a soft landing Wednesday as GOP leaders rewarded him with a coveted seat on the Appropriations Committee.

DeLay, R-Texas, also claimed a seat on the subcommittee overseeing the Justice Department, which is currently investigating an influence-peddling scandal involving disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his dealings with lawmakers. The subcommittee also has responsibility over NASA — a top priority for DeLay, since the Johnson Space Center is located in his Houston-area district.

"Allowing Tom DeLay to sit on a committee in charge of giving out money is like putting Michael Brown back in charge of FEMA — Republicans in Congress just can't seem to resist standing by their man," said Bill Burton, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

So Tom DeLay was able to move from the position of majority leader, and land a position on the Appropriations Committee, and the subcommittee overseeing the Justice Department. So what does this mean? Well, DeLay could use the Appropriations Committee to steer money away from any congressional investigations against Republican lawmakers that federal prosecutors are starting up--considering the songs that Abramoff is currently singing now. And with his position on the subcommittee owerseeing the Justice Department, he can keep tabs on what the feds are doing in those investigations. Maybe DeLay of the Justice Department subcommittee could tell DeLay of the Appropriations Committee how much money the Justice Department really needs in next year's budget (I'm sure there are some unnecessary investigations going on now, that are a waste of taxpayer's money). Could this be a conflict of interest? Of course not!

But wait--there's more:

DeLay was able to rejoin the powerful Appropriations panel — he was a member until becoming majority leader in 2003 — because of a vacancy created after the resignation of Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif. Cunningham pleaded guilty in November to charges relating to accepting $2.4 million in bribes for government business and other favors.

So, the Republicans replaced one crook on the Appropriations Committee, with another crook. At least they're consistent.