via The Houston Chronicle: Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta opened an inquiry Friday to determine whether the Federal Aviation Administration inappropriately helped look for one of the Democratic state representatives who left Texas to shut down the state House last week.

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land, disclosed Thursday that he had contacted the FAA to help Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick locate a plane owned by former Speaker Pete Laney, D-Hale Center, one of more than 50 Democrats who failed to show up for work May 12.

For more commentary on this important and developing story see TPM.