Of course, Jefferson has not been indicted yet, so under the republican rule he would not have to step down.
Pelosi has been trying to force her bad apples out BEFORE they are indicted, so she can claime the "high ground" on her culture of corruption.
Ney, for example, is under investigation, but has not been charged with a crime. I don't think he should step down, investigations can often find a person is NOT guilty.
We think Jefferson is a special case because the evidence against him sounds very convincing. And if this was a state crime, and he was a republican, and there was a democratic attorney general, that prosecuter probably would have indicted LONG AGO to force him out of his position.
I hope he gets indicted really soon, and still refuses to leave. Because at THAT time, the republicans will be able to point out that under THEIR rules, he would have been forced to leave his leadership position, while under DEMOCRAT rules he would not be.
They could then remind people that THIS was one of the reasons for the Contract with America, and shows that the Republicans are better trusted on the matter of ethics, because they have rules which the democrats refuse to adopt.
You're right, he hasn't been indicted yet (I can't help but wonder why a man who has been caught with $90,000 in his freezer, and on tape accepting $100,000 as a bribe, hasn't been indicted yet.