Senate Select Committee on Ethics: A Brief
History of Its Evolution and Jurisdiction
Jacob R. Straus
Analyst on the Congress
March 7, 2013
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
RL30650
CRS Report for Congress
Pr
epared for Members and Committees of Congress
Senate Select Committee on Ethics: A Brief History of Its Evolution and Jurisdiction
Summary
The United States Constitution provides each House of Congress with the sole authority to
establish rules and punish and expel Members. From 1789 to 1964, the Senate dealt individually
with cases of disciplinary action against Members, often forming ad hoc committees to
investigate and make recommendations when acts of wrongdoing were brought to the chamber’s
attention. Events of the 1960s, including the investigation of Secretary to the Majority Robert G.
“Bobby” Baker, for alleged corruption and influence peddling, prompted the creation of a
permanent ethics committee and the writing of a Code of Conduct for Members, officers, and
staff of the Senate.
The Senate Select Committee on Ethics was first established in 1964. This bipartisan, six-member
committee investigates alleged violations of the rules of the Senate and recommends disciplinary
actions. In the 95th Congress (1977-1978), the Senate expanded the committee’s jurisdiction and
altered its procedures to implement revisions to the Senate Code of Official Conduct. Also, to
reflect these changes the committee was renamed the Select Committee on Ethics.
This report briefly outlines the background of ethics enforcement in the Senate, including the
creation of the Select Committee on Standards and Conduct and the subsequent renaming of the
committee as the Select Committee on Ethics. The report also provides a brief overview of the
Senate Code of Conduct and on the Select Committee’s current jurisdiction and procedures.
For additional information on ethics in the Senate, please refer to CRS Report RL30764,
Enforcement of Congressional Rules of Conduct: An Historical Overview, by Jacob R. Straus;
CRS Report RL31126, Lobbying Congress: An Overview of Legal Provisions and Congressional
Ethics Rules, by Jack Maskell; and CRS Report 93-875, Expulsion and Censure Actions Taken by
the Full Senate Against Members, by Jack Maskell.
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Senate Select Committee on Ethics: A Brief History of Its Evolution and Jurisdiction
Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1
Creating a Permanent Ethics Committee ......................................................................................... 2
Select Committee on Standards and Conduct ............................................................................ 2
Select Committee on Ethics ....................................................................................................... 4
Senate Code of Conduct .................................................................................................................. 6
Formal Code of Conduct ........................................................................................................... 7
Current Code of Official Conduct ............................................................................................. 9
Jurisdiction ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Additions to Jurisdiction .......................................................................................................... 10
Franking Privilege ............................................................................................................. 10
Intelligence Information Disclosure .................................................................................. 10
Acceptance of Foreign Gifts ............................................................................................. 10
Public Financial Disclosure Forms.................................................................................... 10
Fair Employment Practices ............................................................................................... 11
Insider Trading and Financial Disclosure .......................................................................... 11
Current Jurisdiction ................................................................................................................. 12
Procedure ....................................................................................................................................... 13
Tables
Table 1. Standing Rules of the Senate Included in the Code of Official Conduct ........................... 9
Table A-1. Senate Select Committee on Standards and Conduct Membership ............................. 15
Table B-1. Senate Select Committee on Ethics Membership ........................................................ 17
Appendixes
Appendix A. Membership on the Senate Select Committee on Standards and Conduct,
1965-1976 ................................................................................................................................... 15
Appendix B. Membership on the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, 1977-2014 ....................... 17
Contacts
Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 22
Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................... 22
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Senate Select Committee on Ethics: A Brief History of Its Evolution and Jurisdiction
Introduction
To ensure that Members of Congress uphold high standards, the United States Constitution
provides sole authority to establish rules and punish and expel Members to the House of
Representatives and the Senate, respectively. Article I, Section 5, clause 2 provides that “Each
House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour,
and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.”1
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Senate used its authority to establish ethics rules and to punish
individual Members sparingly.2 Former Senate historian Richard Baker observed that “[f]or
nearly two centuries, a simple and informal code of behavior existed. Prevailing norms of general
decency served as the chief determinants of proper legislative conduct.”3 During that time,
Congress often dealt with ethics issues “on a case-by-case basis, [and then] only with the most
obvious acts of wrongdoing, those clearly ‘inconsistent with the trust and duty of a member.’”4
Events in the early 1960s, including charges of corruption and influence peddling against
Secretary to the Majority Robert G. “Bobby” Baker, prompted the Senate Committee on Rules
and Administration, which had jurisdiction over “[m]atters relating to the payment of money out
of the contingent fund of the Senate or creating a charge upon the same,”5 to hold hearings on
financial and business activities of current and former Members, officers, and employees of the
Senate.6
This report examines the history and evolution of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics,
including the committee’s jurisdiction and investigative procedure. It does not deal with changes
to criminal law (as defined in Title 18, United States Code), with criminal prosecutions of
Members of Congress, or with the specifics of disciplinary cases in the Senate.7
1 U.S. Congress, House, “Article I, Section 5, clause 2,” The Constitution of the United States, 108th Cong., 1st sess.,
H.Doc. 108-96 (Washington: GPO, 2003), p. 4.
2 Richard Allan Baker, The Senate of the United States: A Bicentennial History (Malabar, FL: Robert K. Krieger
Publishing Company, 1988), p. 109. For more information on Senate censure and expulsion cases, see U.S. Congress,
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, United States Senate Election, Expulsion and Censure
Cases: 1793-1990, prepared by Anne M. Butler and Wendy Wolff, U.S. Senate Historical Office, 103rd Cong., 1st sess.,
S.Doc. 103-33 (Washington: GPO, 1995).
3 Richard Baker, “The History of Congressional Ethics,” in Bruce Jennings and Daniel Callahan, eds., Representation
and Responsibility: Exploring Legislative Ethics (New York: Plenum Press, 1985), p. 4. [Hereafter, Baker, “The
History of Congressional Ethics”].
4 Ibid., p. 3.
5 U.S. Congress, Senate, Senate Manual Containing the Standing Rules, Orders, Laws, and Resolutions Affecting the
Business of the United States Senate, 88th Cong., 1st sess., S.Doc. 1 (Washington: GPO, 1963), § 25.1p, p. 37.
6 U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Rules, Authorizing an Investigation into the Financial, Business or Other
Interests or Activities of Present or Former Members, Officers, or Employees of the Senate, Volume 1, hearing pursuant
to S. Res. 212 and S.Res. 367, 89th Cong., 1st sess., February 4, 1965 (Washington: GPO, 1965); and U.S. Congress,
Senate Committee on Rules, Authorizing an Investigation into the Financial, Business or Other Interests or Activities
of Present or Former Members, Officers, or Employees of the Senate, Volume 2, hearing pursuant to S. Res. 212 and S.
Res. 367, 89th Cong., 1st sess., February 5, 1965 (Washington: GPO, 1965).
7 For more information on Members indicted or convicted of a felony, see CRS Report RL34716, Status of a Senator
Who Has Been Indicted for or Convicted of a Felony, by Jack Maskell. For more information on the enforcement of
codes of conduct in the House of Representatives and the Senate, see CRS Report RL30764, Enforcement of
(continued...)
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Creating a Permanent Ethics Committee
Prior to the 88th Congress (1963-1964), no standard mechanism existed for discipline of Senators.
During the 88th Congress, the Senate created the first ethics committee, the Select Committee on
Standards and Conduct. In the 95th Congress (1977-1978), the Senate changed the committee’s
name to the Committee on Ethics.
Select Committee on Standards and Conduct
Ethics reform became more salient in the Senate after Secretary to the Majority Robert G.
“Bobby” Baker resigned on October 8, 1963, following allegations that he had misused his
official position for personal financial gain.8 Following Mr. Baker’s resignation, the Senate
agreed to a resolution (S.Res. 212) to “inquire into the financial and business interests of any
officer, employee, or former employee of the Senate.”9 The resolution directed the Committee on
Rules and Administration to conduct an investigation into current and former officers’ and
employees’ financial and business interests. The resolution stated,
Resolved, That the Committee on Rules and Administration or any duly authorized
subcommittee thereof is authorized and directed to make a study and investigation with
respect to any financial or business interests or activities of any officer or employee or
former officer or employee of the Senate, for the purpose of ascertaining (1) whether any
such interests or activities have involved conflicts of interest or other impropriety, and (2)
whether additional laws, rules, or regulations are necessary or desirable for the purpose of
prohibiting or restricting any such interests or activities. The Committee shall report to the
Senate at the earliest practicable date the results of its study and investigation, together with
such recommendation as it may deem desirable.10
Pursuant to the S.Res. 212, the Committee on Rules and Administration held a series of hearings
to investigate the general business interests and activities of Senate officials and employees.11 In
the report issued following the hearings, the committee recognized that serious allegations had
been made against a former employee, and that no specific rules or regulations governed the
duties and activities of Members, officers, or employees of the Senate. The committee also
concluded that many of Baker’s outside activities were in conflict with his official duties and
(...continued)
Congressional Rules of Conduct: An Historical Overview, by Jacob R. Straus.
8 For example, see Sen. Wayne Morse, “Resignation of Robert G. Baker As Secretary of the Majority for the Senate,”
remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, vol. 109, part 14 (October 8, 1963), p. 18942.
9 “Inquiry into Financial or Business Interests of any Officer, Employee, or Former Employee of the Senate,”
Congressional Record, vol. 109, part 14 (October 10, 1963), p. 19153.
10 U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Financial or Business Interests of Officer or
Employees of the Senate, report pursuant to S.Res. 212, 88th Cong., 2nd sess., July 8, 1964, S.Rept. 88-1175
(Washington: GPO, 1964), p. 5.
11 U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Financial or Business Interests of Officers or
Employees of the Senate, hearings pursuant to S.Res. 212, parts 1-27, 88th Cong., 1st and 2nd sess., 1963-1964
(Washington: GPO, 1964); and U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Construction of the
District of Columbia Stadium, and Matters Related Thereto, hearings pursuant to S.Res. 212 and S.Res. 367, parts
1-13, 88th Cong., 2nd sess., and 89th Cong., 1st sess., 1964-1965 (Washington: GPO, 1964-1965).
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made several recommendations, including adoption of public financial disclosure rules and other
guidelines for Senate employees.12
Following the investigation into Mr. Baker, additions to the Senate rules—calling for public
financial disclosure reports and more controls on staff involvement with Senate campaign
funds—were introduced to implement the committee’s recommendations.13
Additionally, the Committee on Rules and Administration considered the creation of a separate
ethics committee. In a committee report on proposed amendments to Senate rules, Senator John
Sherman Cooper discussed an amendment he proposed, but which did not pass the committee, to
create a select committee on standards and conduct.
I regret that a resolution which I offered was rejected by the majority party representation on
the committee. The resolution which I offered would have established a select committee on
standards and conduct, composed of six members, three from each of the parties, to be
appointed by the President of the Senate. This committee would be authorized to receive
complaints of unethical, improper, illegal conduct of members, officers, or employees of the
Senate, to make investigation of allegations of such conduct, to propose rules and
regulations, to give advisory opinions, and to make recommendations to the Senate regarding
disciplinary action if required.
I believe the establishment of such a committee made up of distinguished Members of the
Senate would act as a deterrent upon possible violations, and in the exercise of jurisdiction,
would have the confidence of the Senate and the public. I do not consider that such a special
select committee should be considered as a policing committee, but one which, as I have
said, would deter possible violations and deal with them with utmost dispatch and fairness.14
On July 1, 1964, Senator B. Everett Jordan filed a resolution (S.Res. 338) to amend the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Rules and Administration and allow the committee
to investigate every alleged violation of the rules of the Senate, and to make appropriate
findings of fact and conclusions with respect thereto after according to any individual
concerned due notice and opportunity for hearing. In any case in which the committee
determines that any such violation has occurred, it shall be the duty of the committee to
recommend to the Senate appropriate disciplinary action, including reprimand, censure,
suspension from office or employment, or expulsion from office or employment.15
Consideration of S.Res. 338 began on July 24, 1964.16 During debate, Senator Cooper proposed
an amendment similar to his proposed amendment in the Committee on Rules and
12 Ibid, pp. 63-67.
13 U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Proposed Rules XLI and XLII to the Standing Rules
of the Senate, report to accompany S.Res. 337, 88th Cong., 2nd sess., S.Rept. 88-1125 (Washington: GPO, 1964).
14 Ibid., p. 13.
15 Sen. B. Everett Jordan, “Amendment of Rule XXV, Relating to the Jurisdiction of Committee on Rules and
Administration – Report of a Committee (S.Rept. No. 1147),” Congressional Record, vol. 110, part 12 (July 1, 1964),
p. 15661. See also “Resolution Amendment of Rule XXV Standing Rules of the Senate Relative to the Jurisdiction of
the Committee on Rules and Administration,” Congressional Record, vol. 110, part 12 (July 1, 1964), p. 15661; and
U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Amending Rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the
Senate Relative to the Jurisdiction of the Committee on Rules and Administration, report to accompany S.Res. 338, 88th
Cong., 2nd sess., S.Rept. 88-1147 (Washington: GPO, 1964).
16 The resolution had previously been passed over when it was called up from the Senate calendar. “Bills and Joint
(continued...)
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Administration. The amendment proposed to remove jurisdiction over ethical issues from the
Committee on Rules and Administration and create a permanent, bipartisan Select Committee on
Standards and Conduct.17 In proposing his amendment, Senator Cooper summarized why he
thought the Senate should create a select committee instead of granting disciplinary authority to
the Committee on Rules and Administration.
First, in the event that an investigation into the affairs of a Member of the Senate or an
employee becomes necessary, it is to give assurance that the investigation would be complete
and, so far as possible, would be accepted by the Senate and by the public as being complete.
Second—and this is important to all Members and to all employees of the Senate—it is to
provide that an investigation, which could touch their rights and their offices as well as their
honor, would be conducted by a select committee which by reason of its experience and its
judgment, would give assurance that their right and honor would be justly considered.18
Senator Cooper’s amendment was adopted by a vote of 50 to 33.19 Subsequently, the Senate
agreed to S.Res. 338, as amended, to create a Select Committee on Standards and Conduct and
for the first time created a continuing internal disciplinary body.20
Members of the Select Committee on Standards and Conduct were first appointed in July 1965,
allowing the Committee on Rules and Administration to complete the Baker investigation.21 In
October 1965, the committee elected a chair and vice chair,22 appointed its first staff, and began
developing standards of conduct for the Senate.23
Select Committee on Ethics
On March 11, 1975, Senator Adlai Stevenson introduced S.Res. 109 to “establish a temporary
select committee to study the Senate committee system.”24 Agreed to in March 1976, the
temporary select committee held hearings in July and September.25 Among items considered was
(...continued)
Resolution Passed Over,” Congressional Record, vol. 110, part 12 (July 2, 1964), p. 15794.
17 Sen. John Cooper, “Amendment of Rules XXV Relating to Jurisdiction of Committee on Rules and Administration,”
Senate debate, Congressional Record, vol. 110, part 13 (July 24, 1964), pp. 16929-16940.
18 Ibid., pp. 16929-16930.
19 Ibid., pp. 16938-16939.
20 Ibid., p. 16939.
21 “Announcement of the Appointment of the Select Committee on Standards and Conduct,” Congressional Record,
vol. 111, part 12 (July 9, 1965), p. 16179. Senators John Stennis, Mike Monroney, Eugene McCarthy, Wallace Bennett,
John Cooper, and James Pearson were appointed to the committee.
22 Senator John Stennis was elected chair and Senator Wallace Bennett was elected vice-chair. Sen. Stephen Young,
“The Senate Ethics Committee,” remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, vol. 112, part 12 (July 14, 1966), pp.
15658-15659.
23 U.S. Congress, Senate Select Committee on Ethics, Senate Ethics Manual, 2003 Edition, 108th Cong., 1st sess.,
S.Pub. 108-1 (Washington: GPO, 2003), p. 10. [Hereafter, Senate Ethics Manual].
24 Sen. Adlai Stevenson, “Senate Resolution 109 – Submission of a Resolution to Establish a Temporary Select
Committee to Study the Senate Committee System,” Congressional Record, vol. 121, part 5 (March 11, 1975), pp.
6031-6037.
25 U.S. Congress, Senate Temporary Select Committee to Study the Senate Committee System, Senate Committee
System, 94th Cong., 2nd sess., July 20-22, 1976 (Washington: GPO, 1976); and U.S. Congress, Senate Temporary Select
(continued...)
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the combination of the Select Committee on Standards and Conduct and the Committee on Rules
and Administration. In a letter from Senator Howard Cannon, chair of the Select Committee on
Standards, the ethics committee expressed opposition to this idea. In part, the letter read,
The Select Committee on Standards and Conduct took note of the tentative decision of your
Committee to recommend the consolidation of this Committee with the Committee on Rules
and Administration. While we are mindful of the promised benefit of reducing the number of
Committees which Senators must attend, we strongly believe that your decision would
fatally damage any usefulness our Committee might have as well as to impugn any system of
ethics in the Senate.
By its very nature it is indispensable to an ethics committee of the Congress to be bipartisan
in membership, to conduct any worthy investigation without control of its budget by any
other committee, to be served by a nonpartisan staff, to advice and counsel with Senators,
and to exercise prudent judgment in the conduct of its business. Consolidation of any ethics
committee with a more-normal type of committee is likely to destroy all of these
characteristics and to overwhelm any ethics identity. Unlike other committees, moreover, the
Senate Committee on Standards and Conduct is mandated to directly assist the Senate in the
discharge of a Constitutional responsibility.26
Subsequently, the temporary select committee recommended that the functions of the Select
Committee on Standards and Conduct should be combined with the Committee on Rules and
Administration.27
While no further action was taken by the 94th Congress (1975-1976), the issue was readdressed
during the 95th Congress (1977-1978). In a report on S.Res. 4, a resolution to amend the Senate
committee system, the Committee on Rules and Administration rejected the idea of combining the
Committee on Standards with the Committee on Rules and Administration and instead
recommended establishment of a newly constituted bipartisan ethics committee to demonstrate to
the public the “seriousness with which the Senate views congressional conduct.”28
In February 1977, the Senate agreed to S.Res. 4 and created the permanent Select Committee on
Ethics to replace the Select Committee on Standards and Conduct.29 Initially, membership on the
new select committee was limited to six years. In the 96th Congress (1979-1980), the Senate
adopted S.Res. 271, and removed the six-year service limitation.30
(...continued)
Committee to Study the Senate Committee System, Senate Committee System, Part 2, 94th Cong., 2nd sess., September
14 and 15, 1976 (Washington: GPO, 1976).
26 U.S. Congress, Senate Temporary Select Committee to Study the Senate Committee System, Senate Committee
System, Part 2, hearing, 94th Cong., 2nd sess., September 14-15, 1976 (Washington: GPO, 1976), pp. 159-160.
27 U.S. Congress, Senate Temporary Select Committee to Study the Senate Committee System, First Report with
Recommendation, Structure of the Senate Committee System: Jurisdictions, Numbers and Sizes, and Limitations on
Membership and Chairmanships, Referral Procedures, and Scheduling, 94th Cong., 2nd sess., November 15, 1976,
S.Rept. 94-1395 (Washington: GPO, 1976), pp. 95-96.
28 U.S. Congress, Senate Rules and Administration Committee, Committee System Reorganization Amendments of
1977, report to accompany S.Res. 4, 95th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 95-2 (Washington: GPO, 1977), pp. 4-5.
29 “Senate Committee Reorganization,” Congressional Record, vol. 123, part 3 (February 1, 1977), p. 2886.
30 “Elimination of Certain Requirements for Membership on the Select Committee on Ethics,” Congressional Record,
vol. 125, part 23 (October 31, 1979), p. 30266.
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Senate Code of Conduct
In the 1940s, public criticism regarding potential conflicts of interest by Members of Congress
supplementing their income from speeches and outside activities led to concern over the lack of
disclosure of Members’ finances.31 In 1946, Senator Wayne Morse introduced the first public
financial disclosure legislation to require annual, public financial disclosure reports by Senators
(S.Res. 306).32 In remarks on the introduction of the resolution, Senator Morse defended
Members’ right to earn outside income, but believed that the American people were entitled to
know about alternate income sources. Commenting on the resolution’s purpose, Senator Morse
stated,
I may say that my resolution is bottomed upon the very sound philosophical principle
enunciated by Plutarch that Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion. Likewise, I feel that, so
far as the public’s evaluation of Members of the Senate is concerned, they must be above
suspicion. Hence, I think my resolution which calls for the filing with the Secretary of the
Senate of all sources and amounts of senatorial income is in keeping with the public’s right
to know what influences may possibly be brought to bear upon Members of the Senate in the
performance of their legislative duties.33
No action was taken on Senator Morse’s proposal.
In 1958, Congress established the first Code of Ethics for Government Service (Code of Ethics).34
Initially proposed in 1951 by Representative Charles Bennett, the Code of Ethics was adopted
following a House investigation of presidential chief of staff Sherman Adams, who was alleged to
have received gifts from an industrialist being investigated by the Federal Trade Commission.35
The Code of Ethics for Government Service standards continue to be recognized as ethical
guidance in the House and Senate. The Code of Ethics is not legally binding, however, because it
was adopted by congressional resolution, not by law.36
31 For example, see Joseph S. Clark, “Some Ethical Problems of Congress,” Annals of the American Academy of
Political and Social Science, Ethics in America: Norms and Deviations, vol. 363 (January 1966), pp. 12-22.
32 Sen. Wayne Morse, “Reports by Senators on Sources of Outside Income,” remarks in the Senate, Congressional
Record, vol. 92, part 8 (July 23, 1946), p. 9741.
33 U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Financial or Business Interests of Officers or
Employees of the Senate, hearings pursuant to S.Res. 212, part 23, 88th Cong., 1st and 2nd sess., May 27, 1964
(Washington: GPO, 1964), pp. 2021-2027. Senator Morse continued to introduce versions of a financial disclosure
resolution through the 1960s. Ultimately, Senator Morse attempted to expand disclosure requirements to all three
branches of government.
34 72 Stat. B12, H.Con.Res. 175, July 11, 1958. See also “Code of Ethics For Government Service,” Congressional
Record, vol. 103, part 12 (August 28, 1957), p. 16297; and “Code of Ethics For Government Service,” Congressional
Record, vol. 104, part 10 (July 11, 1958), p. 13556.
35 Rep. Charles Bennett, “Code of Ethics for Government Service,” remarks in the House, Congressional Record, vol.
97, part 5 (June 26, 1951), pp. 7176-7178; and testimony of Rep. Charles Bennett, in U.S. Congress, House Committee
on Post Office and Civil Service, Code of Ethics For Government Service, hearings, 84th Cong., 2nd sess., March 29,
1956 (Washington: GPO, 1956), pp. 3-5.
36 Because the code was adopted by concurrent resolution rather than statute, it does not have the force of law and
technically expired at the end of the Congress adopting it. The Code of Ethics for Government Service, however, is
cited by many House and Senate investigations. For example, see U.S. Congress, House Committee on Standards of
Official Conduct, Investigation of Certain Allegations Related to Voting on the Medicare Prescription Drug,
Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, report, 108th Cong., 2nd sess., H.Rept. 108-722 (Washington: GPO,
2004), p. 38; and U. S. Congress, Senate Select Committee on Ethics, Korean Influence Investigation, report, 95th
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In October 1965, as one of its first actions, the Select Committee on Standards and Conduct
recommended rules of conduct for Members, officers, and employees of the Senate.37 In March
1968, the Select Committee on Standards and Conduct reported a resolution (S.Res. 266) making
four additions to the Standing Rules of the Senate.38 After several days of debate, the Senate
adopted a new code of conduct.39 The four areas covered by the new code of conduct were (1)
outside employment of officers and employees, (2) raising and permissible uses of campaign
funds, (3) political fund-raising activities of Senate staff, and (4) annual financial disclosures by
senatorial candidates as well as Members, officers, and designated employees of the Senate.40
Formal Code of Conduct
Following the Watergate scandal in the Nixon Administration, reforms “such as electoral changes,
designed to prevent the recurrence of the Watergate type of offense” were initiated in the
executive branch.41 Subsequently, the Senate began to examine their own activities and
behavior.42 On January 18, 1977, Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd and Minority Leader
Howard Baker jointly introduced S.Res. 36, to establish a temporary Select Committee on
Official Conduct.43 As part of a larger discussion on raising salaries for all federal employees,
Senator Baker expressed his belief that establishing a formal code of conduct was an essential
piece of raising government salaries.
The increase in compensation for Members of Congress will, no doubt, be considered and
voted upon in the very near future. It is imperative, therefore, that prompt attention be given
to questions relating to ethical conduct and financial disclosure.
For this reason, the distinguished majority leader and I have agreed to propose the
establishment of an ad hoc committee to study all questions relating to a Senate code of
conduct. The committee will have 15 members, including a chairman and vice chairman, of
which eight will be of the majority party and seven of the minority party. It will be instructed
(...continued)
Cong., 2nd sess., S. Rept. 95-1314 (Washington: GPO, 1975), pp. 5-6.
37 Work on the first code of conduct began in 1965 and was interrupted by several disciplinary cases, one of the cases
resulted in the June 1967 censure of a Senator for the conversion of campaign funds to personal use. For more
information, see U.S. Congress, Senate Select Committee on Standards and Conduct, Standards of Conduct for
Members of the Senate, Officers and Employees of the Senate, report to accompany S.Res. 266, 90th Cong., 2nd sess.,
S.Rept. 90-1015 (Washington: GPO, 1968), p. 3; and “Seating and Disciplining Members,” in Guide to Congress, 5th
ed., vol. II (Washington: Congressional Quarterly, 2000), pp. 930-931.
38 U.S. Congress, Senate Select Committee on Standards and Conduct, Standards of Conduct for Members of the
Senate, Officers and Employees of the Senate, report to accompany S.Res. 266, 90th Cong., 2nd sess., S.Rept. 90-1015
(Washington: GPO, 1968).
39 “Senatorial Standards of Conduct,” remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, vol. 114, part 6 (March 19, 1968),
pp. 6941-6943 and 6948-6960; “Standards of Conduct,” Congressional Record, vol. 114, part 6 (March 20, 1968), pp.
7129-7134 and 7137-7154; “Standards of Conduct,” Congressional Record, vol. 114, part 6 (March 21, 1968), pp.
7249-7279; and “Standards of Conduct,” Congressional Record, vol. 114, part 6 (March 22, 1968), pp. 7369-7383 and
7388-7408.
40 Senate Ethics Manual, p. 124.
41 Leroy N. Rieselbach, “In the Wake of Watergate: Congressional Reform?,” The Review of Politics, vol. 36, no. 3
(July 1974), pp. 371-372.
42 Ibid., p. 391.
43 “Establishment of Special Committee to Propose a Code of Conduct,” Congressional Record, vol. 123, part 2
(January 18, 1977), pp. 1361-1363.
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to study all matters relating to the standards and conduct of Members of the Senate and to
make its report and recommendations no later than March 1.
In this manner, Mr. President, I believe that the Senate can proceed to adoption of an
equitable code of conduct as quickly as possible and with the benefit of the ad hoc
committee’s report.44
S.Res. 36 was adopted by unanimous consent.
The Select Committee on Official Conduct held hearings in February 197745 and issued a final
report on March 10.46 The Select Committee reported a resolution (S.Res. 110) to amend the
Code of Conduct and propose additions to the Standing Rules of the Senate (then numbered XLII
to L), which would become the Code of Official Conduct. The proposed rules changes included
the first public financial disclosure requirements for Senators and officers and employees of the
Senate; limits on gifts, outside earnings, and the use of the frank;47 and prohibited unofficial
office accounts and lame-duck foreign travel. There was also a provision prohibiting
discrimination in staff employment.48
On April 1, 1977, S.Res. 110 was agreed to and the Select Committee recommendations were
adopted.49
In 2007, pursuant to the Honest Leadership and Open Government, several sections of the Senate
Code of Official Conduct were amended.50 These included placing restrictions on former Senators
and senior staff who become federally registered lobbyists;51 requiring disclosure by Senators and
44 Sen. Howard Baker, “Establishment of Special Committee to Propose a Code of Conduct,” remarks in the Senate,
Congressional Record, vol. 123, part 2 (January 18, 1977), p. 1362.
45 U.S. Congress, Senate Special Committee on Official Conduct, Senate Code of Conduct, hearing on S.Res. 36, 95th
Cong., 1st sess., February 1 and 2, 1977 (Washington: GPO, 1977).
46 U.S. Congress, Senate Special Committee on Official Conduct, Senate Code of Official Conduct, report to
accompany S.Res. 110, 95th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 95-49 (Washington: GPO, 1977).
47 For more information on the congressional franking privilege, see CRS Report RS22771, Congressional Franking
Privilege: Background and Recent Legislation, by Matthew Eric Glassman; CRS Report RS22771, Congressional
Franking Privilege: Background and Recent Legislation, by Matthew Eric Glassman; and CRS Report RL34274,
Franking Privilege: Historical Development and Options for Change, by Matthew Eric Glassman.
48 U.S. Congress, Senate Special Committee on Official Conduct, Senate Code of Official Conduct, report to
accompany S.Res. 110, 95th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 95-49 (Washington: GPO, 1977), pp. 2-3. Title II of S.Res. 110
created procedures for the Select Committee on Ethics. Title III recommended that the Senate Committee on Rules and
Administration, the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Committee on Finance, the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations, and the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs conduct studies addressing issues identified by
the Select Committee, but that the committee did not have time to address. “For example, in the course of studying the
use of “unofficial office accounts” and the resulting problems, the Committee concluded that the uses of such accounts
were closely tied to relatively narrow restrictions on permissible uses of official allowances. For that reason, the
Committee is recommending that the Committees on Rules and Appropriations study the adequacy and permissible
uses of official allowances and report their recommendations to the Senate.”
49 “Official Conduct Amendments of 1977,” Congressional Record, vol. 123, part 8 (April 1, 1977), pp. 10044-10068.
50 P.L. 110-81, 121 Stat. 735, September 14, 2007.
51 For more information on post-employment restrictions, see CRS Report R42728, Post-Employment, “Revolving
Door,” Laws for Federal Personnel, by Jack Maskell.
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staff of post-employment job negotiations; implementing protections against Senators from
influencing hiring decisions based on political affiliation; and amending the Senate gift rules.52
Current Code of Official Conduct
The current Senate Code of Official Conduct can be found in Rules 34 through 43 of the Standing
Rules of the Senate.53 Additionally, federal statutes contain numerous provisions which prohibit
or restrict certain activities by Members and employees. Discussion of the prohibitions and
restrictions pursuant to federal law are included in the Senate Ethics Manual. Table 1 provides a
list of Standing Rules of the Senate that are included in the Code of Official Conduct.
Table 1. Standing Rules of the Senate Included in the Code of Official Conduct
Rule Description
RULE XXXIV
Public Financial Disclosure
RULE XXXV
Gifts
Rule XXXVI
Outside Earned Income
Rule XXXVII
Conflict of Interest
Rule XXXVIII
Official Accounts
Rule XXXIX
Foreign Travel
Rule XL
Franking Privilege, Radio, and T.V.
Rule XLI
Political Fund Activity
Rule XLII
Equal Employment Opportunity
Rule XLIII
Representation by Members
Source: U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, United States Senate Handbook, 109th
Cong., 2nd sess., November 30, 2006 (http://webster/rules/rules.cfm?page=handbook), pp. I-15. Webster is the
internal website for the United States Senate. It is only available to Senate and Senate committee offices. Text of
the Standing Rules of the Senate are contained in the Senate Manual, §§ 34-43, pp. 60-89.
Jurisdiction
Pursuant to S.Res. 338 (88th Congress), the Select Committee on Standards and Conduct was
given the authority to (1) investigate allegations of improper conduct which may reflect upon the
Senate; (2) investigate violations of laws, rules, and regulations of the Senate relating to the
conduct of Members, officers, and employees in their official duties; (3) recommend disciplinary
action, when appropriate; and (4) recommend additional Senate rules to insure proper conduct.54
52 For more information on Senate gift rules, see CRS Report RS22231, The Acceptance of Gifts of Free Meals by
Members of Congress, by Jack Maskell.
53 U.S. Congress, Senate, Senate Manual Containing the Standing Rules, Orders, Laws, and Resolutions Affecting the
Business of the United States Senate, 110th Cong., 2nd sess., S. Doc. 110-1 (Washington, GPO, 2008), §§ 34-43, pp. 60-
89. [Hereafter, Senate Manual].
54 S.Res. 338 (88th Congress), adopted on July 24, 1964. See “Proposed Amendment of Rule XXV of the Standing
Rules of the Senate Relative to the Jurisdiction of the Committee on Rules and Administration,” Congressional Record,
vol. 110, part 13 (July 24, 1964), pp. 16929-16940; and Senate Manual, §§ 77-80, pp. 128-137.
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Following the creation of the Select Committee on Ethics, the Senate adopted S.Res. 110 (95th
Congress) and transferred the jurisdiction of the former Select Committee on Standards and
Conduct and made the new committee responsible for enforcing and interpreting the Senate Code
of Official Conduct.55
Additions to Jurisdiction
Since 1973, several additions have been made to the Select Committee on Ethics’ jurisdiction.
The additions have included use of the frank, disclosure of intelligence material, acceptance of
foreign gifts, administration of public financial disclosure forms, and enforcement of fair
employment practices.
Franking Privilege
In 1973, Congress passed legislation (P.L. 93-191) clarifying the proper use of the franking
privilege by Members of Congress and authorizing the Select Committee on Standards and
Conduct to provide assistance and counsel to Senators and staff on the use of the frank.56
Intelligence Information Disclosure
When the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence was created in 1976, the Ethics Committee
was given specific jurisdiction to investigate any unauthorized disclosure of intelligence
information by a Senator, officer, or employee of the Senate and to report to the Senate on any
substantiated allegation.57
Acceptance of Foreign Gifts
In August 1977, following the enactment of P.L. 95-105 (FY1978 Foreign Relations
Authorization Act), which amended the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act of 1966, the Select
Committee on Ethics was designated the “employing agency” for the Senate and was authorized
to issue regulations governing the acceptance by Senators and staff of gifts, trips, and decorations
from foreign governments.58
Public Financial Disclosure Forms
In August 1979, the Select Committee on Ethics was given responsibility for administering the
Senate public financial disclosure requirements contained in the Ethics in Government Act of
1978.59 Pursuant to amendments in the Ethics Reform Act of 1989, the Ethics Committee was
55 U.S. Congress, Senate Rules and Administration Committee, Committee System Reorganization Amendments of
1977, report to accompany S.Res. 4, 95th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 95-1 (Washington: GPO, 1977), pp. 4-5; and “Official
Conduct Amendments of 1977,” Congressional Record, vol. 123, part 8 (April 1, 1977), pp. 10044-10068.
56 P.L. 93-191; 87 Stat. 737, December 18, 1973.
57 “Proposed Standing Committee on Intelligence Activities,” Congressional Record, vol. 122, part 11 (May 13, 1976),
p. 13992.
58 P.L. 95-105; 91 Stat. 863, August 17, 1977.
59 5 U.S.C. app. §§ 101-111.
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named as the “supervising ethics office” for laws governing gifts to federal employees60 and gifts
by employees to their supervisors.61
Fair Employment Practices
In 1991, Title III (Government Employee Rights Act of 1991) of the Civil Rights Act of 1991
established the Senate Office of Fair Employment Practices. The Office of Fair Employment
Practices was designed to adjudicate discrimination complaints and gave the Select Committee on
Ethics jurisdiction to review, upon request, decisions of the office.62 In 1995, authority to review
discrimination cases was transferred to the Office of Compliance with the passage of the
Congressional Accountability Act (CAA).63 The Ethics Committee continues to have jurisdiction
over disciplinary cases that could result from an Office of Compliance investigation under Senate
Rule 42.64
Insider Trading and Financial Disclosure
On April 4, 2012, the STOCK Act (Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act) was passed to
affirm that no exemption exists from “insider trading” laws and regulations for Members of
Congress and congressional employees.65 Pursuant to the Act, the Senate Select Committee on
Ethics is required to:
issue interpretive guidance of the relevant rules of each chamber, including rules on conflicts
of interest and gifts, clarifying that a Member of Congress and an employee of Congress may
not use nonpublic information derived from such person’s position as a Member of Congress
or employee of Congress or gained from the performance of such person’s official
responsibilities as a means for making a private profit.66
60 5 U.S.C. § 7353.
61 5 U.S.C. § 7351.
62 P.L. 102-166; 105 Stat. 1088-1092, November 21, 1991; and “Civil Rights Act of 1991,” Congressional Record, vol.
137, part 20 (October 30, 1991), pp. 29018-29020.
63 P.L. 104-1, 109 Stat. 3, January 23, 1995; 2 U.S.C. § 1302. The Congressional Accountability Act applied 11 laws to
the legislative branch, from which it had previously been exempt. These laws are: Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938
(29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.); Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.); Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.); Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. § 621
et seq.); Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. § 2611 et seq.); Occupational Safety and Health Act of
1970 (29 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.); Title 5, Chapter 71 of the United States Code (federal service labor-management
relations); Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (29 U.S.C. § 2001 et seq.); Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Notification Act (29 U.S.C. § 2101 et seq.); Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.), and Title 38, Chapter
43 of the United States Code (veterans’ employment and re-employment).
64 U.S. Congress, Senate, “Rule XLII – Employment Practices,” Senate Manual Containing the Standing Rules, Orders,
Laws, and Resolutions Affecting the Business of the United States Senate, 110th Cong., 2nd sess., S.Doc. 110-1
(Washington: GPO, 2008), p. 88.Senate Manual, § 42, p. 14; and Senate Ethics Manual, p. 14.
65 P.L. 112-105, 126 Stat. 291, April 4, 2012. The STOCK Act has been amended three times to change the effective
date for financial disclosure forms required under the Act. First, P.L. 112-173 (126 Stat. 1310, August 16, 2012)
extended the filing date to September 30, 2012. Second, P.L. 112-178 (126 Stat. 1408, September 28, 2012) extended
the required filing date to December 8, 2012. Finally, P.L. 112-207 (126 Stat. 1495, December 7, 2012) extended the
required filing date to April 15, 2013. For a more detailed analysis of the STOCK Act, see CRS Report R42495, The
STOCK Act, Insider Trading, and Public Financial Reporting by Federal Officials, by Jack Maskell.
66 P.L. 112-105, sec. 3; 5 U.S.C. app. 101 note prec.
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Pursuant to the STOCK Act, the Select Committee on Ethics has issued two sets of guidance on
the implementation of the law. The first, issued on June 15, 2012, provided a summary of STOCK
Act requirements for Senate Staff,67 reminders of periodic transaction and financial disclosure
requirements, and disclosure forms.68 The second, issued on December 4, 2012, provided specific
guidance on insider trading restrictions under securities laws and Senate ethics rules.69
Current Jurisdiction
Pursuant to changes made since 1977, the Select Committee on Ethics currently has jurisdiction
over the following areas:
1. receive complaints and investigate allegations of improper conduct which may
reflect upon the Senate, violations of law, violations of the Senate Code of
Official Conduct, and violations of rules and regulations of the Senate, relating to
the conduct of individuals in the performance of their duties as Members of the
Senate, or as officers or employees of the Senate, and to make appropriate
findings of fact and conclusions with respect thereto;
2. recommend, when appropriate, disciplinary action against Members and staff;70
3. recommend rules or regulations necessary to insure appropriate Senate standards
of conduct;
4. report violations of any law to the proper Federal and State authorities;
5. regulate the use of the franking privilege in the Senate;
6. investigate unauthorized disclosures of intelligence information;
7. implement the Senate public financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in
Government Act;
8. regulate the receipt and disposition of gifts from foreign governments received
by Members, officers, and employees of the Senate;
9. render advisory opinions on the application of Senate rules and laws to Members,
officers, and employees;
67 U.S. Congress, Senate, Select Committee on Ethics, Stock Act Requirements for Senate Staff, 112th Cong., 2nd sess.,
June 15, 2012, at http://www.ethics.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=3478144e-32c3-4bed-bb77-
a48bdfe65dc7.
68 A list of all documents related to the June 15, 2012, guidance can be found, at http://www.ethics.senate.gov/
public/index.cfm/guidance?ID=ddf8731f-2602-4525-910b-9253ea257db5.
69 U.S. Senate, Senate, Select Committee on Ethics, Restrictions on Insider Trading Under Securities Laws and Ethics
Rules, 112th Cong., 2nd sess., December 4, 2012, at http://www.ethics.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/files/serve?
File_id=8c923399-2dc0-4ef6-a0d2-9ef564fc7038.
70 In addition to bringing matters to the full Senate for expulsion, censure, or reprimand, the Committee, pursuant to
S.Res. 338 (88th Congress) sec. 2(a)(3) and 2(d)(3), as amended by S.Res. 222 (106th Congress), also has the authority
to issue, on its own, “letters of admonition” for misconduct not warranting full Senate discipline (i.e., “if a violation is
inadvertent, technical or otherwise of deminimis nature” [see Senate Ethics Manual, p. 15]). For more information on
“Letters of Admonition,” see Committee Rules 3(g)(2) and 4(g)(2)(iii) and (iv) in U.S. Congress, Senate, Select
Committee on Ethics, Rules of Procedure, 111th Cong., 2nd sess. S.Prt. 111-53 (http://ethics.senate.gov/downloads/
pdffiles/small_books/RulesOfProcedure.pdf), and CRS Report RL30764, Enforcement of Congressional Rules of
Conduct: An Historical Overview, by Jacob R. Straus.
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10. for complaints filed under the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991
respecting conduct occurring prior to January 23, 1996, review, upon request, any
decision of the Senate Office of Fair Employment Practices;71
11. develop and implement programs for Members, officers, and employees to
educate them about standards of conduct applicable in the performance of their
official duties;72
12. “conduct ongoing ethics training and awareness programs for Members of the
Senate and Senate staff”;73 and
13. issue an annual report on the number of alleged violations of Senate rules
received from any source, including the number raised by a Senator or staff of the
committee, and including the number of allegations dismissed or on which the
committee took the specific actions.74
Procedure
Procedures for the Select Committee on Ethics are established pursuant to S.Res. 338 (88th
Congress), as amended; P.L. 93-191;75 S.Res. 400 (94th Congress);76 and 5 U.S.C. § 7342.77 The
Ethics Committee may initiate an inquiry or investigate allegations brought by Senators, Senate
officers, Senate staff, or outside individuals and groups. While the committee does not have
formal procedural requirements for filing a complaint, the committee can issue public statements
regarding a specific inquiry. If the committee chooses not to issue a public statement, all
allegations are treated confidentially and the committee has a practice of neither confirming nor
denying that a matter is before the committee. “Upon completion of its investigative process, the
Committee may recommend to the Senate or party conference an appropriate sanction for a
violation or improper conduct, including, for Senators, censure, expulsion, or party discipline and,
for staff members, termination of employment.”78
71 Senate Ethics Manual, p. 4.
72 Senate Ethics Manual, p. 17; and “Official Conduct Amendments of 1977,” Congressional Record, vol. 123, part 8
(April 1, 1977), pp. 10044-10068.
73 P.L. 110-81, sec. 553, 121 Stat. 773, September 14, 2007; 2 U.S.C. § 72a-1h.
74 P.L. 110-81, sec. 554, 121 Stat. 773, September 14, 2007; 2 U.S.C. § 72a-1i.
75 P.L. 93-191, 87 Stat. 737, December 18, 1973. P.L. 93-191 amended then current law on franked mail and required
that the Select Committee on Standards and Conduct (now the Select Committee on Ethics) provide “guidance,
assistance, advice, and counsel, through advisory opinions or consultations, in connection with eh mailing or
contemplated mailing of franked mail….” For more information on franked mail, see CRS Report RS22771,
Congressional Franking Privilege: Background and Recent Legislation, by Matthew Eric Glassman and CRS Report
RL34274, Franking Privilege: Historical Development and Options for Change, by Matthew Eric Glassman.
76 S.Res. 400 (94th Congress), restricted the unauthorized disclosure of intelligence information. The Select Committee
on Ethics was specifically tasked “to investigate any unamortized disclosure of intelligence information by a Members,
officer or employee of the Senate….” For more information, see U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Rules and
Administration, Proposed Standing Committee on Intelligence Activities, report to accompany S.Res. 400, 94th Cong.,
2nd sess., April 29, 1976, S.Rept. 94-470 (Washington: GPO, 1976), p. 45; “Proposed Standing Committee on
Intelligence Activities,” debate in the Senate, Congressional Record, vol. 122, part 12 (May 19, 1976), pp. 14643-
14679.
77 5 U.S.C. § 7342 cover the receipt and disposition of foreign gifts and decorations given to federal employees as
defined by 5 U.S.C. § 2105, including Members of Congress.
78 Senate Ethics Manual, p. 4. For a detailed Select Committee procedures, see U.S. Congress, Senate Select
(continued...)
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In 1977, the Senate agreed to S.Res. 110, which created the Code of Official Conduct. Title II of
S.Res. 110 amended S.Res. 338, the 1964 resolution that created the procedures of the Select
Committee on Standards and Conduct, which became the Select Committee on Ethics. The
amendments required the Select Committee to receive complaints and investigate alleged
violations of the Senate Code of Official Conduct and to publish necessary regulations to
implement the code. Title II also required the publishing of advisory opinions in the
Congressional Record, if requested by specified individuals.79
(...continued)
Committee on Ethics, Rules of Procedure, committee print, adopted February 23, 1978, revised November 1999,
Reprinted March 2007, 110th Cong., 1st sess., S.Prt. 110-17 (Washington: GPO, 2007). Rules of Procedure has
historically been printed on a yearly basis, with the most recent reprinting in 2007. For more information on
enforcement of rules of conduct, see CRS Report RL30764, Enforcement of Congressional Rules of Conduct: An
Historical Overview, by Jacob R. Straus.
79 U.S. Congress, Senate Special Committee on Official Conduct, Senate Code of Official Conduct, report to
accompany S.Res. 110, 95th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 95-49 (Washington: GPO, 1977), pp. 2-3.
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Appendix A. Membership on the Senate Select
Committee on Standards and Conduct, 1965-1976
Created in the 89th Congress (1965-1966), a total of 14 Senators served on the Senate Select
Committee on Standards and Conduct prior to its being disbanded with the creation of the Senate
Select Committee on Ethics in the 95th Congress (1977-1978). Table A-1 provides a list of all
Members who served on the Senate Select Committee on Standards and Conduct, their party
affiliation, and their state. Majority party Members are listed first.
Table A-1. Senate Select Committee on Standards and Conduct Membership
Member Party
State
89th Congress (1965-1966)
Stennis, John C.
D
MS
Monroney, A. S. Mike
D
OK
McCarthy, Eugene J.
DFLa MN
Bennett, Wal ace F.
R
UT
Cooper, John Sherman
R
KY
Pearson, James B.
R
KS
90th Congress (1967-1968)
Stennis, John C.
D
MS
Monroney, A. S. Mike
D
OK
McCarthy, Eugene J.
DFLa MN
Bennett, Wal ace F.
R
UT
Cooper, John Sherman
R
KY
Pearson, James B.
R
KS
91st Congress (1969-1970)
Stennis, John C.
D
MS
McCarthy, Eugene J.
DFLa MN
Talmadge, Herman E.
D
GA
Bennett, Wal ace F.
R
UT
Cooper, John Sherman
R
KY
Pearson, James B.
R
KS
Jordan, Leonard B.b R ID
92nd Congress (1971-1972)
Stennis, John C.
D
MS
Talmadge, Herman E.
D
GA
Spong, William B., Jr.
D
VA
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Member Party
State
Bennett, Wal ace F.
R
UT
Cooper, John Sherman
R
KY
Jordan, Leonard B.
R
ID
93rd Congress (1973-1974)
Stennis, John C.
D
MS
Talmadge, Herman E.
D
GA
Cannon, Howard W.
D
NV
Bennett, Wal ace F.
R
UT
Curtis, Carl T.
R
NE
Brooke, Edward W.
R
MA
94th Congress (1975-1976)
Cannon, Howard W.
D
NV
Stennis, John C.
D
MS
Talmadge, Herman E.
D
GA
Curtis, Carl T.
R
NE
Brooke, Edward W.
R
MA
Young, Milton R.
R
ND
Source: Garrison Nelson, Committees in the U.S. Congress 1947-1992 (Washington: Congressional Quarterly,
Inc., 1994), pp. 284-285.
Notes:
a. Democratic Farmer-Labor Party.
b. Senator Leonard Jordan was appointed on October 29, 1969, to replace Senator Pearson.
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Appendix B. Membership on the Senate Select
Committee on Ethics, 1977-2014
Created in the 95th Congress (1977-1978), the Senate Select Committee on Ethics has had a total
of 56 members. Table B-1 provides a list of all Members who have served on the Senate Select
Committee on Ethics, their party affiliation, and their state. Majority party Members are listed
first.
Table B-1. Senate Select Committee on Ethics Membership
Member Party
State
95th Congress (1977-1978)
Stevenson, Adlai E. III
D
IL
Ribicoff, Abraham A.
D
CT
Morgan, Robert B.
D
NC
Schmitt, Harrison H.
R
NM
Tower, John G.
R
TX
Weicker, Lowell P., Jr.
R
CT
Pearson, James B.a R KS
Mathias, Charles McC., Jr.b R
MD
96th Congress (1979-1980)
Stevenson, Adlai E. III
D
IL
Morgan, Robert B.
D
NC
Burdick, Quentin N.
D
ND
Heflin, Howell T.c D AL
Pryor, David H.d D AR
Schmitt, Harrison H.
R
NM
Hatfield, Mark O.
R
OR
Helms, Jesse A.
R
NC
Wallop, Malcolme R WY
Cochran, Thadf R
MS
97th Congress (1981-1982)
Wallop, Malcolm
R
WY
Cochran, Thad
R
MS
Mattingly, Mack
R
GA
Helms, Jesse A.g R NC
Heflin, Howell T.
D
AL
Pryor, David H.
D
AR
Eagleton, Thomas F.
D
MO
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Member Party
State
98th Congress (1983-1984)
Stevens, Theodore F.
R
AK
Helms, Jesse A.
R
NC
Durenberger, David F.
R
MN
Heflin, Howell T.
D
AL
Pryor, David H.
D
AR
Eagleton, Thomas F.
D
MO
99th Congress (1985-1986)
Rudman, Warren B.
R
NH
Helms, Jesse A.
R
NC
Kassebaum, Nancy Landon
R
KS
Heflin, Howell T.
D
AL
Pryor, David H.
D
AR
Long, Russell B.
D
LA
100th Congress (1987-1988)
Heflin, Howell T.
D
AL
Pryor, David H.
D
AR
Sanford, Terry
D
NC
Rudman, Warren B.
R
NH
Helms, Jesse A.
R
NC
Kassebaum, Nancy Landon
R
KS
101st Congress (1989-1990)
Heflin, Howell T.
D
AL
Pryor, David H.
D
AR
Sanford, Terry
D
NC
Rudman, Warren B.
R
NH
Helms, Jesse A.
R
NC
Lott, Trent
R
MS
102nd Congress (1991-1992)
Heflin, Howell T.
D
AL
Pryor, David H.h D AR
Sanford, Terryi D
NC
Bingaman, Jeffj D
NM
Bryan, Richardk D
NV
Rudman, Warren B.
R
NH
Lott, Trent
R
MS
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Member Party
State
Gorton, Slade
R
WA
Helms, Jessel R
NC
103rd Congress (1993-1994)
Bryan, Richard
D
NV
Mikulski, Barbara
D
MD
Daschle, Thomas
D
SD
McConnell, Mitch
R
KY
Stevens, Ted
R
AK
Smith, Robert
R
NH
Craig, Larrym R
ID
104th Congress (1995-1996)
McConnell, Mitch
R
KY
Smith, Robert
R
NH
Craig, Larry
R
ID
Bryan, Richard
D
NV
Mikulski, Barbara
D
MD
Dorgan, Byron
D
ND
Reid, Harryn D
NV
Murray, Pattyo D
WA
105th Congress (1997-1998)
Smith, Robert
R
NH
Roberts, Pat
R
KS
Sessions, Jeff
R
AL
Reid, Harry
D
NV
Murray, Patty
D
WA
Conrad, Kent
D
ND
106th Congress (1999-2000)
Smith, Robertp R
NH
Roberts, Pat
R
KS
Voinovich, George
R
OH
Reid, Harry
D
NV
Conrad, Kent
D
ND
Durbin, Richard
D
IL
107th Congress (2001-2002)
Roberts, Pat
R
KS
Voinovich, George
R
OH
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Member Party
State
Thomas, Craig
R
WY
Reid, Harryq D
NV
Akaka, Daniel
D
HI
Lincoln, Blanche
D
AR
Inouye, Daniels D
HI
Reed, Jacks D
RI
108th Congress (2003-2004)
Voinovich, George
R
OH
Roberts, Pat
R
KS
Thomas, Craig
R
WY
Reid, Harry
D
NV
Akaka, Daniel
D
HI
Lincoln, Blanche
D
AR
109th Congress (2005-2006)
Voinovich, George
R
OH
Roberts, Pat
R
KS
Thomas, Craig
R
WY
Johnson, Tim
D
SD
Akaka, Daniel
D
HI
Pryor, Mark
D
AR
Salazar, Kenr D
CO
110th Congress (2007-2008)
Johnson, Timt D
SD
Boxer, Barbarat D CA
Pryor, Mark L.
D
AR
Salazar, Ken
D
CO
Brown, Sherrodu D OH
Cornyn, John
R
TX
Roberts, Pat
R
KS
Thomas, Craig
R
WY
Isakson, Johnnyv R GA
111th Congress (2009-2010)
Boxer, Barbara
D
CA
Pryor, Mark L.
D
AR
Brown, Sherrod
D
OH
Isakson, Johnny
R
GA
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Member Party
State
Roberts, Pat
R
KS
Risch, James E.
R
ID
112th Congress (2011-2012)
Boxer, Barbara
D
CA
Pryor, Mark L.
D
AR
Brown, Sherrod
D
OH
Isakson, Johnny
R
GA
Roberts, Pat
R
KS
Risch, James E.
R
ID
113th Congress (2013-2014)
Boxer, Barbara
D
CA
Pryor, Mark L.
D
AR
Brown, Sherrod
D
OH
Isakson, Johnny
R
GA
Roberts, Pat
R
KS
Risch, James E.
R
ID
Source: Garrison Nelson, Committees in the U.S. Congress 1947-1992, vol. 1 (Washington: Congressional
Quarterly, Inc., 1994), pp. 284-285; Garrison Nelson and Charles Steward III, Committees in the U.S. Congress
1993-2010 (Washington: CQ Press, 2011; “Senate Resolution 42—to Constitute the Majority Party’s
Membership on Certain Committees for the One Hundred Twelfth Congress, or Until Their Successors are
Chosen,” Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 157 (February 3, 2011), p. S551; “Senate Resolution 43—to
Constitute the Minority Party’s Membership on Certain Committees for the One Hundred Twelfth Congress, or
Until Their Successors are Chosen,” Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 157 (February 3, 2011), p. S551;
“Making Majority Party Appointments,” Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 159 (January 24, 2013), p. S296;
and “Making Minority Party Appointments,” Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 159 (January 24, 2013), p. S
296.
Notes:
a. Senator Pearson was temporarily appointed to the committee to replaced Senator Tower due to an inquiry
in which Senator Tower recused himself.
b. Senator Mathias was appointed on April 13, 1978 to replace Senator Weicker.
c. Senator Heflin was appointed on October 31, 1979 to replace Senator Stevenson.
d. Senator Pryor was appointed on January 25, 1980 to replace Senator Burdick.
e. Senator Wal op was appointed on October 31, 1979 to replace Senator Schmitt.
f.
Senator Cochran was appointed on January 28, 1980 to replace Senator Hatfield.
g. Senator Helms was appointed on January 21, 1981 to replace Senator Cochran.
h. Senator Pryor left the committee in May 1991, but returned on September 10, 1991, in place of Senator
Bingaman, to serve during the completion of the “Keating Five” investigation. That investigation ended on
November 20, 1991.
i.
On August 2, 1991, Senator Sanford was named chairman of the committee for al matters except the
“Keating Five” investigation.
j.
Senator Bingaman was appointed to serve in place of Senator Pryor. However, he later declined to
participate in the “Keating Five” investigation, and Senator Pryor was reappointed for that purpose. On
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Select Committee on Ethics: A Brief History of Its Evolution and Jurisdiction
August 2, 1991, Senator Bingaman was reappointed to serve for al committee matters except the “Keating
Five” investigation.
k. Senator Bryan was appointed to serve for all matters except the “Keating Five” investigation.
l.
Senator Helms was reappointed to serve during the 102nd Congress for the remainder of the “Keating Five”
investigation.
m. Senator Craig was appointed on May 19, 1993 to replace Senate Stevens.
n. Senator Reid was appointed on January 23, 1996 to replace Senator Bryan.
o. Senator Murray was appointed on January 23, 1996 to replace Senator Mikulski.
p. Sen. Smith became chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on November 9,
1999, and Sen. Roberts was appointed chairman of the Select Committee on Ethics the same day.
q. On June 6, 2000, when the Democrats took control of the Senate, Sen. Reid became chairman of
committee.
r. Senator Salazar was appointed on January 18, 2006 to replace Senator Akaka.
s. On February 4, 2002, with the passage of S.Res. 203, Senator Inouye was appointed to chair the
committee in matters regarding the investigation of Senator Robert Torricelli, and Senator Reed was
appointed to serve in place of Senator Akaka for this investigation. All other committee business for the
107th Congress was handled by the six members original y appointed.
t.
On January 12, 2007, Senator Boxer was named chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics in Sen.
Johnson’s absence because of illness.
u. On April 17, 2007, Senator Brown was appointed to serve in place of Senator Salazar only for matters
related to the committee’s preliminary inquiry arising in connection with the firing of a U.S. attorney in New
Mexico.
v. Senator Thomas died in office on June 4, 2007, and was replaced by Senator Isakson on June 13, 2007.
Author Contact Information
Jacob R. Straus
Analyst on the Congress
jstraus@crs.loc.gov, 7-6438
Acknowledgments
This report revises an earlier report by Mildred Amer, who retired as a Specialist in American National
Government at CRS.
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