WASHINGTON — Rep. John Doolittle, whose house was searched by the FBI in an influence-peddling investigation, said yesterday that he will step down temporarily from the House Appropriations Committee.

The announcement by the nine-term California Republican came one day after the disclosure that agents had raided his home in Oakton, Va. In the search last Friday, the FBI had a warrant for information connected with a fundraising business run by Mr. Doolittle’s wife, Julie, that had done work for convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

“I understand how the most recent circumstances may lead some to question my tenure on the Appropriations Committee,” Mr. Doolittle wrote to the House minority leader, Rep. John Boehner, a Republican of Ohio.

“Therefore, I feel it may be in the best interest of the House that I take a temporary leave with seniority from this committee until this matter can be resolved.”

Mr. Doolittle’s ties to Abramoff have come under scrutiny in the corruption investigation that has sent one former Republican congressman, Bob Ney of Ohio, to prison on a guilty plea to charges of conspiracy and making false statements.

Congressional Republicans have worked to repair their party’s image in the wake of November’s election losses that followed Democratic criticism of a GOP “culture of corruption.”

“John recognizes that if we are to succeed in restoring trust between the American people and their elected leaders, this action is necessary, and I commend him for having the courage to do the right thing,” Mr. Boehner said in a statement.

Last week’s search took place on the same day that Kevin Ring, a former Doolittle aide who went on to work for Abramoff, resigned from a law firm without explanation.

Mr. Doolittle, a conservative from Roseville, Calif., is an ally of a former House majority leader, Tom DeLay. Mr. Doolittle called Abramoff a friend and the two had numerous connections.