Senate Select Committee on Ethics

The Senate Select Committee on Ethics is a bipartisan committee established in 1964 to enforce ethical standards in the Senate. The committee has three main functions: providing ethics advice and education to senators, officers, and employees; administering the Senate's financial disclosure program; and investigating allegations of misconduct. The committee is unique in the Senate as the only committee with equal representation from both parties, and its entire staff is nonpartisan.

Unlike most Senate committees that review bills and recommend legislation, the Ethics Committee does not process legislation. Instead, it receives complaints and investigates alleged violations of the Senate Code of Official Conduct, federal law, and Senate rules. When investigations substantiate violations, the committee recommends appropriate disciplinary action to the full Senate, which can range from censure to expulsion. The committee also provides prospective advice to senators and staff about proposed conduct to help prevent violations before they occur.

The committee's jurisdiction extends beyond investigating misconduct to include oversight of financial disclosures, guidance on conflicts of interest, gifts, travel, and campaign activities. It also enforces rules regarding the Senate's franking privilege and investigates unauthorized disclosures of classified information. The committee maintains strict confidentiality regarding requests for advice, encouraging members and staff to seek guidance without fear of public disclosure.