In the post below, we learned that Robert Novak was reporting on a secret meeting of GOP leaders where it was decided Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA), who is facing an FBI investigation, could keep his seat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

Apparently, this is a touchy subject for GOP leaders. According to The Politico, the participants in that meeting denied Novak's report:

“Mr. Novak’s source is misinformed, and the report is incorrect," the leaders said in a joint statement released by Boehner's office. "The leadership team has made no new decisions regarding the status of Congressman Jerry Lewis or any other Republican member, and is committed to dealing equally and aggressively with all members of the Republican Conference with respect to ethical matters, regardless of their seniority.”

Boehner has been criticized in conservative circles for failing to punish Lewis despite an extensively reported Justice Department probe into his relationship with lobbyists whose clients have garnered lucrative contracts from the spending panel he chaired until Republicans lost their majority last fall.

Boehner forced GOP Reps. John Doolittle of California and Rick Renzi of Arizona to resign their committee posts earlier this year after the FBI raided the former's home and a family business tied to the latter in separate probes. Lewis, meanwhile, remains the top Republican on the Appropriations Committee and has continuously denied any wrongdoing.

So, this begs the question: When will the decision be made about Rep. Lewis? By not making any decision, Boehner is deciding to keep the ethically challenged Lewis in a very, very powerful position.