When Congress Investigates: A Closer Look at Congressional Ethics Committees

There has been a lot of news lately about the Senate and House Ethics Committees. 

But who are the members of the ethics committees? And what power do they hold?  

The House committee is bipartisan and made up of five Democrats and five Republicans.   

The current members include Republican Reps. Susan Brooks of Indiana, who is the Chairwoman, Patrick Meehan (PA), Trey Gowdy (SC), Kenny Marchant (TX) and Leonard Lance (NJ).  

The Democrats on the committee are Congressmen Ted Deutch (FL), Yvette D. Clarke (NY), Jared Polis CO), Anthony Brown (MD) and Steve Cohen (TN). 

The committees are in charge of making sure their fellow members of Congress follow the rules and "make recommendations to the House for further action" when they don't. 

The ethics committees lay down the guidelines on everything from campaign contributions, to how to interact with lobbyists, to the way lawmakers treat their staffs.  

They then investigate accusations of wrongdoing and "make recommendations for further action" or clear the accused entirely.  

Those recommendations include censure and even expulsion. 

Even still it's up to the House or Senate to decide the punishment. 

Lately, they've been busy. 

Right now the House committee is opening a new investigation into Congressman Blake Farenthold, R-Texas.

According to Politico, a 2015 investigation against the congressman was dismissed when Farenthold reportedly used $84,000 of tax payer money to settle a sexual harassment and discrimination charge. 

Now, there's a new investigation subcommittee looking into the matter, as both the accuser and Farenthold want "increased transparency." 

Farenthold maintains his innocence. 

On the Senate side, the Ethics Committee announced it was launching a preliminary inquiry into Senator Al Franken, D-Minn, over accusations of sexual harassment. 

But Franken beat them to it and resigned.  

The ethics committees are often scrutinized. 

Many times, those under investigation are absolved or the case is dismissed. 

Leaving the question: can congressional members really investigate themselves?