"In the interest of upholding the high ethical standard of the House Democratic Caucus, I am writing to request your immediate resignation from the Ways and Means Committee," wrote Pelosi.

Jefferson was defiant.

"With respect, I decline to do so," he wrote back to Pelosi. "I will not give up a committee assignment that is so vital to New Orleans at this crucial time for any uncertain, long-term political strategy."

Time for the Dems to step up and say goodbye to Mr. Jefferson. If they want to tar and feather the other side of the aisle with the corruption brush, they need to get rid of the guy with $90,000 in bribes from the FBI hidden in his freezer.

Further, "speech and debate" provision fully observed, the FBI raiding his office was done with the consent of the Judiciary. At that point, checks and balances are satisfied, and the "gentlemen from Louisiana" can pack up his bags, he's Duke Cunningham's new roomie.

House leaders demand FBI return papers - Yahoo! News