USA Today: New Congress Keeps Ethics Office Alive

WASHINGTON — Congress has voted to keep intact an independent office that polices the behavior of House members. Lawmakers approved the Office of Congressional Ethics as part of a package of rules that will govern the new Congress, which convened Thursday. The terms of four of the six members of the office's board were set to expire this week — raising concerns among congressional watchdogs that the office would lose its investigative powers. The staff cannot start probes without board approval, and new members have not been named. Read more...