United States Senate Select Committee on Ethics

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The U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics is a select committee of the United States Senate charged with dealing with matters related to senatorial ethics. It is also commonly referred to as the Senate Ethics Committee. Senate rules require the Ethics Committee to be evenly divided between the Democrats and the Republicans, no matter who controls the Senate, although chairperson always come from majority party.

Contents 1 Members, 110th Congress 2 Usefulness 3 Chairmen 4 External links 5 References

[edit] Members, 110th Congress

The Committee is currently chaired by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-California), and the Vice Chairman is Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). After Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) suffered from an aneurysm in December 2006, Barbara Boxer was chosen to chair the Ethics Committee on an interim basis.^[1] However, when Johnson returned to the Senate, he chose not to assume chairmanship of the Committee.

Majority Member State   Barbara Boxer, Chairwoman California   Mark Pryor Arkansas   Ken Salazar Colorado

Minority Member State   John Cornyn, Vice Chairman Texas   Pat Roberts Kansas   Johnny Isakson Georgia

[edit] Usefulness

On May 8, 2008, the Senate Ethics Committee declined to investigate Senator David Vitter's connections to an escort service. Not seeing this as an issue worth looking into has put into question whether the Democrats' campaign for improved ethics in the 2006 midterm elections was sincere.

The Committee is presently examining the conduct of Senator Christopher Dodd and Senator Kent Conrad in regards to the "Friends of Angelo" mortgage loan program provided to them by Countrywide Financial boss Angelo R. Mozilo. Major news media outlet are skeptical if the Senate will properly investigate their own members over this issue, however. [1][2]

[edit] Chairmen

(incomplete list)

• Howell Heflin (D-AL), ?-1981
• Malcolm Wallop (R-WY), 1981-1983
• Ted Stevens (R-AK]], 1983-1987
• Howell Heflin (D-AL), 1987-1992
• Terry Sanford (D-NC), 1992-1993
• Richard Bryan (D-NV), 1993-1995
• Mitch McConnell (R-KY), 1995-1997
• Robert C. Smith (R-NH), 1997-1999
• Pat Roberts (R-KS), 1999-2001
• Harry Reid (D-NV), 2001-2003
• George Voinovich (R-OH), 2003-2007
• Barbara Boxer (D-CA), 2007-present

[edit] External links

• U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics Official Website

[edit] References

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