Stung by criticism that they were lowering ethical standards, Republican lawmakers last night reversed a rule change that would have allowed House Majority Leader Tom Delay to retain his position even if indicted.

The Republicans met behind the closed doors of the House chamber and reportedly acted at the request of Tom DeLay himself. The surprise move by the Republicans came just hours before the 109th Congress convenes on Tuesday. New members of the House and Senate will be sworn in today, including Barack Obama of Illinois. He will become the first African-American man to win a Senate seat in a quarter century and will be the only African-American senator. We’ll have more on Tom DeLay and the new Congress later in the program.