PRESSURE is coming on Mr Newt Gingrich from his own Republican Party to "step aside" from his post of Speaker of the House during an ethics investigation into his affairs.
Mr Gingrich, who is widely perceived as the most unpopular politician in the US, expects to be re elected as speaker when the new Congress assembles next January as there will be a Republican majority. But weekend comments by some Republican congressmen have started speculation over his future.
Mr Gingrich, who occupies the third highest post under the constitution after the president and vice president, is under a prolonged investigation by the House Ethics Committee over alleged misuse of funds for a nationally televised university course he used to teach. The committee is also examining whether Mr Gingrich improperly received contributions from his political action committee.
Mr Steve Largent, a Republican congressman usually seen as a supporter of Mr Gingrich, has suggested on a TV programme that it would be a "good idea" if he stepped down until the investigation is completed. Mr Largent also said that other Republicans supported this "behind closed doors ... but publicly people are maybe fearful to bay that".
Another Republican congressman, Mr Christopher Shays, has said he will not vote for Mr Gingrich as Speaker next January before the committee report has come out. The defeat of 13 younger Republican congressmen in last week's election is blamed by some in the party for their association with Mr Gingrich.
Mr Gingrich has indicated that - he will take a lower profile and less abrasive role as Speaker in the new Congress. He has told President Clinton he is prepared to work constructively on new legislation and that "there ought to be a year of solving problems instead of attacking".
A spokesman for Mr Gingrich said he wants the ethics committee to complete its investigation before Congress reconvenes. "We fully expect Newt to be Speaker in the 105th Congress," the spokesman said.
Mr Clinton will meet congressional leaders today, to begin negotiations on how to arrive at a balanced budget at a future date. But Republicans are still fuming with the President over his attacks on them for their alleged plans to cut spending on the Medicare scheme for the elderly. They now want Mr Clinton to say what his plans are to save the scheme, which may run out of funding early in the next century.