House majority leader to step down

House Majority Leader Richard Armey, R-Texas, made his retirement announcement official today, delivering the news to colleagues on the House floor in a teary-eyed address in which he praised the strength of the nation and its watchfulness over government.

"I am comfortable telling you today that the end of this 107th Congress is the time for me to stand down as majority leader and as a member of Congress," he said.

Armey lamented the toll that public service extracted from his family during his nine terms in office, and thanked his wife, Susan, who stood to applause in the gallery. "Throughout all the difficulties that only we who serve here can understand, I have kept the love of a good woman," he said.

Armey recalled the GOP record of achievement since House Republicans won the majority in 1994, singling out tax cuts, welfare relief and spending restraint. He also praised House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., calling him "the right man to step up at just the right time."

Among those wiping their eyes during Armey's speech was House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas, who is the heavy favorite to replace Armey in the No. 2 leadership position after the midterm elections next November.

DeLay has not publicly declared his candidacy, but a formal announcement could come Thursday or Friday. DeLay moved almost immediately to consolidate support for his leadership bid, and for Chief Deputy Majority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., as his choice to succeed him in the whip office.

Asked whether he would back DeLay, Hastert today acknowledged his close relationship with DeLay, but deferred to the House Republican Conference. "We'll see what happens," Hastert said. "Tom DeLay, I helped him become whip. He's a good friend of mine. It's really the will of the Conference."

As of today, no challenger has emerged to contest the race for majority leader but Education and the Workforce Chairman John Boehner, R-Ohio, and House Republican Conference Chairman J.C. Watts of Oklahoma have declined to take their names out of the running. Rep. Rob Portman of Ohio, who chairs Republican leadership meetings and was seen as a potential contender, has committed to DeLay, according to a spokesman.

National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Davis of Virginia told reporters today he must focus on keeping the House in Republican hands and quashed speculation he would make a leadership bid.