Delay and NASA

Roxana Tiron picks up on the DeLay -- NASA angle:

In a move that could help his reelection campaign, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) is expected to be appointed to an Appropriations subcommittee today that has jurisdiction over spending for space programs.

As of press time yesterday, a source said DeLay would reclaim his spot on the Appropriations Committee while taking seats on one subcommittee dealing with homeland security and another that funds NASA.

Those assignments could boost the indicted lawmaker's campaign against former Rep. Nick Lampson (D-Texas).

DeLay's district, which he helped redraw in 2004, includes NASA's Johnson Space Center. DeLay has been known to boost NASA's interests in the Houston area.

If DeLay is cleared of the charges brought by Texas prosecutor Ronnie Earle and defeats Lampson and Republicans maintain their majority, he could become the chairman of the Science, State, Justice, Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee in 2007 when Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) will relinquish the gavel.

Since the area around Clear Lake and NASA is now a bigger part of the district than Sugar Land, it's a smart move.

DeLay, of course, made a point of saying that he was going to reclaim his Approp spot when he originally resigned from the leadership.