GRAND RAPIDS -- Congressman Vern Ehlers said he will try to help lift the ethical cloud that hovers over Republicans in accepting the job as acting chairman of the House Administration Committee.

House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois, offered Ehlers the post late Tuesday.

At least temporarily, the Grand Rapids Republican replaces U.S. Rep. Robert Ney, R-Ohio, who Sunday vacated the chairmanship until he is cleared of bribery charges or indicted.

"I think it's something I have to do for the Congress," said Ehlers, previously the second-highest ranked lawmaker on the panel.

House Republican leaders Tuesday announced lobbying reform moved to the top of their legislative priorities. Democrats are trying to gain the edge in the race for lobbying ethics reform with a package of measures to bar members of Congress from accepting gifts, meals and travel from lobbyists.

The battle to gain the ethical high ground comes amid the election-year scandal resulting from the activities of former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who personally or through his clients showered lawmakers with contributions, meals, skybox seats and golf trips. Abramoff pleaded guilty to corruption-related charges and is cooperating with authorities.

Described by The Associated Press as best known for spearheading legislation to clean up sediment in the Great Lakes, Ehlers has not distinguished himself nationally, while his West Michigan counterpart, U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, ascended a year ago to the high-profile chairmanship of the House Intelligence Committee.

Even as he accepted his new position, Ehlers said he remains determined to take the chairmanship of the House Science Committee if it opens next January. Chairman Sherwood Boehlert, R-NY, is expected to step down because of House-imposed term limits.

"I would not let this stand in the way of being chairman of the Science Committee," said Ehlers, a nuclear physicist. "I'll discuss it with the speaker if he'd want me to serve both."

The ordinarily mundane Administration Committee is in the spotlight because of the Republican effort to overcome the damaging effects of the influence-peddling scandal that threatens to grow larger.

When Congress returns to session later this month, Ehlers will shepherd part of a five-bill ethics reform package, including a ban on all privately funded travel, tighter limits on gifts, and more restrictions on former senators and House members who leave office and become lobbyists.

The House Administration panel has jurisdiction over House travel rules and postal privileges, controls each lawmakers' budgets, and doles out perks such as parking spaces, furniture and equipment. As chairman, Ney was dubbed the "mayor" of Capitol Hill for the way he distributed the perks.