"Tom DeLay is the most corrupt politician in America today,"

Texas Democratic delegation lauded U.S. Rep. Chris Bell

Bell, who addressed the delegation at a Tuesday morning breakfast, lost his primary race in March after his district was altered by a state redistricting plan engineered by DeLay.

"Tom DeLay is the most corrupt politician in America today," he told the group, eliciting a standing ovation.

Bell filed a complaint with the House ethics committee last month accusing DeLay of misusing his office to raise money for Republicans and to funnel government resources against Democrats. A Travis County grand jury also is investigating possible violations of state campaign finance law linked to DeLay during the 2002 state legislative elections.