Additionally, in a move that is said to "take the bullets out of Pelosi's gun" according to Rep. Zack Wamp (R-TN), the Republican majority has also instituted a rule that now mandates a majority ruling of the ethics panel to sanction House members. Prior to this ruling, if the committee, which is split evenly between Republicans and Democrats, was deadlocked for 45 days - the ruling would then go against the accused; as in the case of Tom Delay (R-TX).
See the article here.