WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican Party leaders have recommended punishing five states for shifting their nomination contests earlier.

They're moving to strip New Hampshire, Florida, South Carolina, Michigan and Wyoming of half their delegates.

Iowa, which plans to hold Republican caucuses on January 3rd, wouldn't be penalized. That's because the caucuses aren't technically binding on convention delegates. Nevada, which plans to hold its caucuses on January 19th, wouldn't be penalized for the same reason.

The party's rules ban holding votes before February 5th.

The proposal now goes to the full RNC, which will vote on a recommendation to its chairman, Mike Duncan, following state elections in November. Duncan has the final say.

South Carolina is considering legal action in an effort to keep its delegates to next year's Republican National Convention.

Under the RNC's action Monday, Florida would lose 57 delegates, Michigan 30, South Carolina 23, Wyoming 14 and New Hampshire 12.