Armey Repays Host After Gift-Rule Violation

WASHINGTON — House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas) apparently acknowledging a violation of a new rule against accepting gifts, said Wednesday that he has reimbursed a host $75 for a fishing trip.

Armey’s fee for the Florida excursion was paid by Charlie Mack Overstreet, a member of the board of overseers of the University of Florida, The Hill newspaper said.

Armey’s office issued a statement saying he had been “unaware of any fee involved when he went fishing.” A new House rule, which Armey helped write, bars acceptance of gifts from anyone except family and friends.