"I would think that the only reason he wants to stay is that it shows he did things the right way," says Rep. Howard Berman (Calif.), the former ranking Democrat on the Ethics Committee, who speaks fondly of Hefley. "If Hefley left voluntarily at this point, it might be seen as an acknowledgment that he did something wrong."
Hefley has heard nothing directly from House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who will largely determine whether he keeps his chairmanship. "The speaker has the highest regard for Joel Hefley," says Hastert spokesman John Feehery, who adds a decision should come in the next few days. The GOP leadership announced its new slate of committee chairmen yesterday, but said nothing about the Ethics Committee.
Leadership sources say Hefley, who became chairman of the Ethics Committee in 2001, has chaired the committee for the maximum two terms allowed under House rules. Hefley says there is precedent for a chairman to serve longer. He says the rules are vague, and that many would view his ouster as retribution. (Feehery says Hastert's decision would be made purely on the rules.)
Hefley entered Congress with Hastert in 1986 and calls the speaker one of his two or three best friends in the House. Not so DeLay. "There's not a lot of 'Hey Tom, let's go play golf,' 'Happy New Year' stuff," Hefley says. He calls their relationship "cordial," but sources close to both men say they can't stand each other.
House Republican leaders this week backed off a proposal that would have let DeLay retain his post as majority leader even if he is indicted by a Texas grand jury investigating his fundraising practices. As House leaders debated the rule changes, Hefley took the unusual step of sending them a letter objecting to the proposals -- and issuing a public statement criticizing them. "Ethics reform should be bipartisan, and this package is not," Hefley's statement said.
Hefley says his personal feelings for DeLay are irrelevant to how he proceeded on the Ethics Committee. DeLay was not available to comment yesterday, according to spokesman Jonathan Grella.
"If the speaker appoints me, that would be fine," Hefley says. "If he doesn't, that would be fine, too." He would spend more time roping cattle in celebrity rodeos, sketching landscapes and sculpting. He hasn't decided whether he'll seek reelection in 2006, but says his future on the Ethics Committee will not influence his decision.
"Hopefully, they won't carry me off on my shield," Hefley says as another reporter waits to enter his office.
Or maybe they will.
Hefley beams. "Yes, maybe they will."
