http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jUBrTmq526iX5de_o6jcKflSQyvAD95032Q00Alaska lawmaker no longer lead Republican on panel
By DAVID ESPO – 17 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Don Young of Alaska has stepped down under pressure as lead Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee, saying he wants to focus on clearing his name in a corruption investigation.
Young said he was making his decision for the good of the Republican Party and called it a temporary move.
But three Republican officials said Young acted after party leader John Boehner told him privately he would oppose him if he sought another two years in the post. Young's decision means he loses seniority as well as control over hiring most of the Republican staff on the panel. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday, saying they were not authorized to discuss the events.