Group didn't sway DeLay, spokesman says

WASHINGTON — A spokesman for embattled Rep. Tom DeLay on Saturday disputed any assertion that donations to a nonprofit linked to the congressman influenced his legislative agenda.

Those donations, to a now-disbanded nonprofit called U.S. Family Network, came from interests close to indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, according to a Washington Post story published Saturday in The Seattle Times.

In an e-mail, DeLay spokesman Kevin Madden said the donations were not a factor in the congressional activities of the Texas Republican and former House majority leader.

"Mr. DeLay makes decisions and sets legislative priorities based on good policy and what is best for his constituents and the country. Any suggestion of outside influence is manipulative and absurd," Madden said. "Mr. DeLay has very firm beliefs and he fights very hard for them."

The U.S. Family Network was founded by Ed Buckham, a close adviser and former chief of staff to DeLay.

The congressman promoted the group in a 1999 fundraising letter, and it received $2.5 million in donations from its founding in 1996 until it disbanded five years later, The Washington Post reported.

DeLay has been accused in Texas of illegally funneling corporate campaign contributions to GOP candidates for the state Legislature. He stepped down from his post of House majority leader when he was indicted.

The Post story says there is no evidence that DeLay profited directly from the U.S. Family Network donations.