House Republicans delayed until February a decision about who will fill a vacant seat on the House Appropriations Committee.

Candidates for the position had expected the Republican Steering Committee would decide before the end of the month, but they will resume consideration during a meeting the week of Feb. 11.

Among those running for the spot left when Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) was appointed to the Senate to replace Sen. Trent Lott include Rep. Jo Bonner (Ala.), Rep. Henry Brown (R- S.C.), Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.) and Rep. Michael Turner (R-Ohio).

Flake, a longtime critic of earmarks, has been considered a dark horse candidate for the committee known for funneling last minute plus-ups into spending legislation.

Even after President Bush vowed in his State of the Union address this week to cut earmarks by half, Flake was still skeptical about his chances, saying they had “probably moved from one to 10 percent.”