Ethics in Congress

Ethics in Congress are regulated by a patchwork of laws and rules specific either to the U.S. House of Representatives or to the U.S. Senate. These can be roughly broken down by regulations that govern lobbying and regulations that govern members of Congress. Ethics laws are enforced by federal law enforcement authorities like the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice. Congressional rules are enforced by the House Ethics Committee and Senate Ethics Committee.

Federal ethics legislation
When the Jack Abramoff, Randy "Duke" Cunningham and Tom DeLay scandals broke in 2005-2006, several pieces of ethics reform legislation were proposed. Click here for more information on the individual bills.

Members of Congress under investigation
Several members of Congress are under investigation by the respective congressional ethics committees and law enforcement authorities. Click here for a full list.

Organizations working on ethics and campaign finance regulations

 * Campaign Finance Institute, SourceWatch page
 * Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, SourceWatch page.
 * Common Cause, SourceWatch page
 * Judicial Watch, SourceWatch page
 * League of Women Voters, SourceWatch page
 * Public Campaign & CampaignMoney.org, Public Campaign's reform activist site, SourceWatch page
 * Public Citizen & CleanUpWashington.org, Public Citizen's reform site, SourceWatch page
 * U.S. Public Interest Research Group & U.S. PIRG's reform site, SourceWatch page