Todd Tiahrt links (The Raw Story) Congressman who defended DeLay says three fundraisers with Abramoff associates went unreported: A stalwart congressional supporter of embattled House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) has confirmed to RAW STORY that in-kind donations for several fundraisers held at skyboxes believed maintained by fallen lobbyist Jack Abramoff were not reported until this year. The congressman, Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS), amended his campaign finance filings in February and April, listing three in-kind donations from the Greenberg Traurig political action committee, a fund managed by Abramoff’s former firm. The events dated from 2001, 2002 and 2003. Tiahrt press secretary Chuck Knapp called the amendments “a campaign staff oversight.” … Melanie Sloan, executive director for the progressive ethics group Citizens for Ethics and Responsibility in Washington, chided Tiahrt and said his conduct merits an ethics investigation. “Those kind of errors are inexcusable,” Sloan said. “They’re breaking a law.”(MSNBC) Lawmakers take frequent ‘educational trips’: DeLay’s defenders say there was no way for him to know who ultimately paid for the trips and they cite recent reports that some Democrats have done exactly the same thing. “There seems to be a double standard here,” says Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan. “When it happens to a Democrat it’s a mistake. When it happens to a Republican it’s an investigation.”Pat Roberts links (The Hill) Frist, Reid intervene in Intel row: Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) have intervened to quell a growing dispute roiling the traditionally non-partisan Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Frist called a meeting with Reid, Senate Intelligence Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Vice-Chairman Jay Rockefeller to “smooth out” issues on the increasingly fractious committee, say sources familiar with the meeting.Jim Ryun links (Press release) Watchdog Group Launches ‘The DeLay Rankings: Campaign finance watchdog group Public Campaign Action Fund launched The Delay Rankings at a new Web site today that allows constituents to see how close their representative is to the scandal-plagued House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas). Topping the list are Reps. Tom Feeney of Florida, Bob Beauprez of Colorado, Jim Ryun of Kansas, Dave Weldon of Florida, and Jim Gerlach of Pennsylvania.