Last night, House Republican leaders abandoned a proposal to make it more difficult for lawmakers to discipline a fellow Member for unethical behavior. The change would have allowed Majority Leader Tom DeLay to keep his post if he is indicted by a Texas grand jury that is looking into his campaign finance practices.

Leadership appeared to yield to rank and file Republicans who were concerned that the change would send the wrong message.

The other proposed rule change abandoned by the Republicans last night would have overturned a rule that allowed lawmakers to be rebuked for bridging discredit on the House even if they didn't break a law.

One change adopted by the committee would curtail ethics committee investigations. Under the change, a Republican vote would be required before an inquiry can begin. As the committee is evenly divided, and under current rules a deadlock means an investigation begins automatically. This proposal will now move to the House floor.