Editorial: Committee ‘hammers’ retaliation

Monday, May 17, 1999 | 9:44 a.m.

Those who have leadership positions in Congress wield incredible power. If there is something vital to their district, they usually can "persuade" lower-ranking members to go along with their prized pork-barrel project. On national policies they can also exert considerable influence as well, twisting arms to get legislation either enacted or killed.

This is part and parcel of politics and has gone on throughout our history. But sometimes legislators can become so intoxicated with power they take steps that push the envelope of ethical behavior. One such politician is Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, the House majority whip known as the "Hammer" for his hardball tactics in corralling votes and raising campaign funds. The House ethics committee, though, has found that DeLay finally has stepped over the line. Last week the ethics committee reprimanded him for threatening a Washington trade group last year with retaliation for hiring a Democrat as its president.

During a meeting of House leaders last fall, DeLay and others vented their anger at Electronic Industries Alliance's decision to hire former Rep. Dave McCurdy, D-Okla., as the group's president. DeLay then informed the trade group it should hire more Republicans -- or else. The Washington Post reported last week that following that meeting last fall, the leadership postponed votes on implementing an international treaty sought by the trade group, because it wanted to show it was upset by the group's refusal to hire Rep. Bill Paxson, a Republican who was retiring.

The ethics committee sent a private letter to DeLay admonishing him for his conduct. The panel won't release the letter, but the Washington Post reported that it is similar to a May 11 memo sent to all House members, warning them about such activities. The memo states that "government officials, including House Members and staff, are prohibited from taking or withholding any official action on the basis of the partisan affiliation or the campaign contributions or support of involved individuals, or the prospect of personal gain either for oneself or anyone else. House Members and staff are likewise prohibited from threatening punitive action on the basis of such considerations."

The trade group tried to minimize the impact of DeLay's threat, but it obviously worked: Earlier this year the association hired a former aide to House Budget Committee Chairman John Kasich, R-Ohio. It's hard to imagine DeLay turning off his "bully-boy" antics any time soon, but maybe last week's reprimand will at least chasten him so that he doesn't engage further in unethical behavior.