Rep. Elton Gallegly isn't speaking to us these days. Gallegly does this every so often when we do something he doesn't like. It's no big deal because even when he isn't mad at us, he doesn't talk to us much. This time, he's angry over a headline that ran in some editions of The Star about his staff checking into whether any campaign contributions he received could be linked to lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Abramoff, you probably recall, is at the center of the latest Washington scandal in which he has pleaded guilty to fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public officials. Abramoff reached a deal with federal investigators that requires him to provide evidence about members of Congress. This has made several lawmakers more than a little nervous and prompted a stampede among some to distance themselves from the scandal. Gallegly hasn't been linked to Abramoff, but as a member of the House Resources Committee and on the subcommittee Office of Native Americans and Insular affairs, there is no escaping a certain amount of suspicion because Abramoff's major clients were native American casino interests, an area in which the committee has oversight.

It's unfortunate that Gallegly isn't talking because he is an interesting sidebar story in all of this. As the scandal unfolds, his thoughts and perspective would be mighty interesting.

In 2003, Gallegly was in line, due to seniority and tradition, to become the next chairman of the House Resources Committee. Committee chairmanships are powerful positions in the House and highly coveted. Although Gallegly was in line for the job, at the last minute, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, who is known more for trampling tradition than standing on it, stepped in and elevated one of his proteges, Richard Pombo, R-Calif., to the chairmanship. As an obvious bone toss, Gallegly was handed the chairmanship of the Subcommittee on International Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Human Rights.

As a loyal Republican soldier, Gallegly accepted the disappointment without a peep of protest. In fact, he managed to put a good face on the matter, declaring that he would be playing an important role in the war on terrorism and protecting the country. For all the hyperbole, though, the new duties paled in comparison to a committee chairmanship, and it must have been a bitter pill.

Gallegly remained on the Resources Committee, and it must be with a certain wry amusement and, perhaps, a measure of revenge, as he watches the course of the scandal. DeLay is out as majority leader, back home in Texas where he is battling legal problems. Before Abramoff pleaded guilty, DeLay had vowed to clean up his legal problems and come back to the House to reclaim his leadership position. Now, his well-known ties to Abramoff have convinced him that he had best take care of matters at home, relinquish his leadership position and see what Abramoff has to say.

Pombo remains the Resources Committee chairman, but he faces some serious problems of his own. The first are his ties to Abramoff. In one instance, Pombo was instrumental in helping the Mashpee Indians in Massachusetts gain official recognition as a tribe. The Mashpee were Abramoff clients, and, as a result, Pombo received campaign contributions from both the lobbyist and the tribe. There are other instances where Pombo received contributions either directly from Abramoff or his clients, all linked to native American gambling interests and Pombo's efforts on their behalf.

Pombo also is in hot water over using his position on the Resources Committee to thwart an investigation by federal banking regulators into activities by Houston billionaire Charles Hurwitz, a friend of DeLay. Pombo worked with DeLay and Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif., who also is on the Resources Committee and another DeLay protege, to pressure the FDIC to drop the investigation. It did, and Hurwitz rewarded Pombo with a contribution.

Although staunchly loyal to the Republican Party, Gallegly has always played by the rules. That was probably reason enough for DeLay to pass him over and make Pombo the committee chairman. DeLay liked to make his own rules, and he liked to be surrounded by people who think the same way. DeLay believed that after years of being the minority party in the House, it was time for Republicans to take advantage of their power and increase it, and also to reward their friends. To accomplish this, he needed to have trusted lieutenants in positions of power.

My guess is he didn't trust Gallegly because Gallegly was too honest and honorable to do what he wanted. It's just a guess, though, because, as I said, Gallegly isn't talking to us.