President George W. Bush (R) today nominated Harriet Miers to become the next Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, following the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Miers has never been a judge, but was president of the Texas State Bar Association, served on the Dallas City Council, and has recently been a White House counsel.

She is viewed as a conservative, but White House spokesman Scott McClellan said in a press conference that Miers's nomination was suggested by both Democrats and Republicans.

Bush had previously nominated John Roberts Jr. to the Associate Justice position, but withdrew that nomination following the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist and re-nominated Roberts for the higher position. Roberts was sworn in as Chief Justice on Friday after receiving a decisive Senate confirmation (78-22).

Rep. Tom DeLay (R, TX 22nd) has been indicted along with two associates on charges of criminal conspiracy and will temporarily step down from his post as House Majority Leader. The charges stem from allegations that a political action committee started by DeLay violated campaign finance laws.

For the time being, DeLay retains his seat in the House of Representatives, but Republican Party rules require representatives who are under indictment to temporarily step down from leadership roles. DeLay has denied any wrongdoing and claims that the charges are politically motivated.

Rep. DeLay has been at the center of several ethics controversies, and has faced several House Ethics Committee investigations. He was admonished by the Committee three times in 2004.