Historical Summary of

Conduct Cases in the House of Representatives

●

Committee on Standards of Official Conduct

1798-2004

For Cases since 2004, please refer to the Summary of Activities from 108th Congress through 111th Congress.

This material has been prepared as a convenience and is intended merely as a synopsis of the relevant information.

Individuals who are interested in specific cases are referred to the full text of the citations herein.
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. Matthew Lyon 

(VT) (1798)

II HINDS §§ 1642-

43 

“Disorderly behavior” 

(spat on Rep. Roger 

Griswold after an 

exchange of insults)(Jan. 

30, 1798); charge added 

of ”gross indecency of 

language in his defense 

before this House” (Feb. 

8, 1798) 

Committee on Privileges 

heard evidence and 

recommended expulsion (Feb. 

2, 1798)

Censure resolution 

failed, 44-52; 

expulsion 

resolution failed, 

52-44 (Feb. 12, 

1798)(expulsion 

requires a 2/3 

vote)

Letter of apology 

(Feb. 1, 1798)

Rep. Roger 

Griswold (CT) and 

Rep. Matthew Lyon 

(VT)(1798)

II HINDS §§ 1642-

43 

“Disorderly behavior” 

(Rep. Griswold assaulted 

Rep. Lyon with a “stout 

cane” on the House floor 

before the House was in 

session and Rep. Lyon 

responded by attacking 

Rep. Griswold with 

fireplace tongs) (Feb. 

15, 1798)

Committee on Privileges 

heard evidence and 

recommended against 

expulsion of both Members

(Feb. 20, 1798)

Committee report

recommending 

against expulsion 

adopted, 73-21; 

motion to censure 

both Members 

failed, 47-48(Feb. 

23, 1798)

Both Members pledged 

to keep the peace 

(Feb. 16, 1798)

Rep. Matthew Lyon 

(VT) (1799)

II HINDS § 1284; 

Convicted of violating 

Sedition Act (Oct. 9, 

1798), fined and served 

four months in prison 

while a member of the 

House

Expulsion 

resolution failed, 

49-45 (Feb. 22, 

1799)

Reelected after 

conviction

Rep. William 

Stanberry 

(OH)(1832)

II HINDS § 1248

Insulted Speaker during 

floor debate (July 9, 

1832)

Censured, 92-

44(July 11, 1832)

Rep. John Quincy 

Adams (MA)(1832)

REGISTER OF 

DEBATES, 22nd

Cong., 1st Sess., 

3905-3912 (1832)

Refused to vote on 

resolution to censure 

Rep. Stanberry (July 11, 

1832)

Censure resolution 

tabled, 89-63 (July 

12, 1832) 
Case Allegations Committee 

Action

House Action Comments

Rep. Sherrod 

Williams 

(KY)(1836)

CONG. GLOBE, 24th

Cong., 1st Sess., 

612-616 (1836) 

Insulted Chairman of the 

Committee of the Whole 

House during debate (July 

2, 1836)

Censured without 

formal vote (July 

2, 1836); House 

“reconsidered” 

censure (July 4, 

1836)

Rep. John Quincy 

Adams (MA)(1837)

CONG. GLOBE, 24th

Cong., 2nd Sess, 

164-165 (1837); 

REGISTER OF 

DEBATES, 24th

Cong., 2d Sess., 

1610-1686 (1837)

“[G]ross disrespect to 

this House” (requested to 

present a petition to the 

House purported to be 

from slaves) (Feb. 6, 

1837)

Censure resolution 

withdrawn and 

substitute 

resolution 

rejected, 21-137 

(Feb. 9, 1837) 

Rep. William J. 

Graves (KY) and 

Rep. Henry Wise 

(VA)(1838)

II HINDS § 1644

Breach of the privileges 

of the House (Rep. Graves 

killed Rep. Jonathan 

Cilley (ME) in a duel 

over words spoken in 

debate; Rep. Wise acted 

as a second (Feb. 24, 

1838)

Select Committee of 

Investigation adopted 

expulsion resolution for 

Rep. Graves and censure 

resolution for Rep. Wise 

(April 21, 1838) 

Resolutions tabled, 

103-78 (May 10, 

1838)

Rep. Alexander 

Duncan (OH) (1839)

II HINDS § 1245

Violated privileges of 

the House (published 

remarks in a newspaper 

insulting another 

Member)(Feb. 19, 1839)

Censure resolution 

tabled, 117-95 

(Feb. 22, 1839)

Rep. John Quincy 

Adams (MA) (1842) 

II HINDS § 1255 

Breach of privileges of 

the House (presented a 

petition to the House 

from his constituents 

regarding dissolution of 

the Union)(Jan. 24, 1842)

Censure resolution 

tabled, 106-93; 

rejected motion to 

receive petitions, 

40-166 (Feb. 7, 

1842)
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. Joshua R. 

Giddings (OH) 

1842)

II HINDS § 1256 

“[U]nwarranted and 

unwarrantable” conduct 

(presented a series of 

resolutions related to 

slavery and negotiations 

with Great Britain (Mar. 

21, 1842)

Censured, 125-69

(Mar. 22, 1842)

Resigned (Mar. 22, 

1842); reelected and 

seated (May 5, 1842)

Colt Patent 

Investigation 

(1854)

H. REP. NO. 353, 

33rd Cong., 1st

Sess. (1854)

Bribery of Members of 

Congress to secure 

extension of patent on 

the Colt revolver

Select Committee appointed 

by House found that Colt’s 

principal lobbyist sought 

to bribe House Members and 

provided improper gifts 

(Aug. 3, 1854) 

Committee report 

tabled (Aug. 3, 

1854)

Rep. Philemon 

Herbert (CA), 

(1856)

II HINDS § 1277

Arrested for manslaughter 

(May 8, 1856); imprisoned 

prior to trial; acquitted 

(July 1856)

Resolution to 

refer the case to 

Judiciary Committee 

tabled, 79-70 (May 

15, 1856)

Rep. Preston S. 

Brooks (SC)(1856)

II HINDS § 1621

Assaulted Sen. Charles 

Sumner (MA) on the Senate 

floor after the Senate 

had adjourned for the day 

(May 22, 1856)

Select committee appointed 

by the House recommended 

expulsion (majority report)

(June 2, 1856)

Expulsion 

resolution failed, 

121-95(July 14, 

1856)

Resigned after 

expulsion vote; 

reelected (Aug. 1, 

1856)

Rep. Lawrence M. 

Keitt (SC)(1856)

II HINDS § 1621 

Complicity in assault on 

Sen. Sumner 

Select committee recommended 

censure (majority report)

(June 2, 1856)

Censured 

(“disapprobation”) 

106-96 (July 15, 

1856)

Resigned after vote 

(July 16, 1856); 

reelected (Aug. 6, 

1856)

Rep. Henry 

Edmundson (VA)

(1856) 

II HINDS § 1621

Complicity in assault on 

Sen. Sumner

Select committee recommended 

censure (majority report) 

(June 2, 1856)

Censure resolution 

failed, 60-136 

(July 15, 1856)

Rep. Orsamus B. 

Matteson (NY) 

(1857)

II HINDS § 1275 

“Defamed character of 

House” (accepted money in 

exchange for supporting 

Minnesota land 

bill)(1856) 

Special committee 

recommended expulsion 

(majority report) (minority 

report found committee 

lacked jurisdiction)(Feb. 

19, 1857)

Censured, 145-17; 

expulsion 

resolution tabled 

(Feb. 27, 1857) 

Resigned prior to 

House action; 

reelected, see below
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action 

Rep. 

William A. 

Gilbert 

(NY) (1857) 

II HINDS § 

1275

Accepted money 

for supporting 

legislation, see 

case of Rep. 

Matteson, above 

Special committee recommended expulsion (majority report) (Feb. 19, 1857) Expulsion 

resolution 

tabled 

after 

resignation 

(Feb. 27, 

1857)

Rep. 

Francis S. 

Edwards 

(NY) (1857)

II HINDS § 

1275

Accepted money 

for supporting 

legislation, see 

case of Rep. 

Matteson, above

Special committee recommended expulsion (majority report) (Feb. 19, 1857) Expulsion 

resolution 

tabled 

after 

resignation 

(Feb. 28, 

1857)

Rep. 

William W. 

Welch (CT) 

(1857) 

II HINDS § 

1275

Accepted money 

for supporting 

legislation, see 

case of Rep. 

Matteson, above

Special committee recommended expulsion (majority report) (Feb. 19, 1857) Found 

insufficien

t evidence 

to expel, 

119-42 

(Feb. 27, 

1857)

Rep. 

Orsamus B. 

Matteson 

(NY)(1858)

II HINDS § 

1285 

Corruption during 

preceding 

Congress, see 

above

Special committee recommended no further action (Mar. 22, 1858) Expulsion 

resolution 

tabled, 96-

69

(March 27, 

1858) 

Rep.-elect 

John B. 

Clark (MO) 

(1861)

II HINDS § 

1262 

“[T]aken up arms 

against” the 

government of the 

United States

Expelled, 

94-45 (July 

13, 1861)

Rep. John 

W. Reid 

(MO)(1861)

II HINDS § 

1261 

“[T]aken up arms 

against” the 

government of the 

United States

Expelled 

(Dec. 2, 

1861)(no 

vote 

recorded)

Rep. Henry 

C. Burnett 

(KY) (1861)

“[O]pen 

rebellion” 

against the 

Expelled 

(Dec. 3, 

1861)(not 

vote 
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action 

II HINDS § 

1261 

government of the 

United States

recorded)
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. Alexander 

Long (OH) (1864)

II HINDS § 1252-53 

 

Supported recognition of 

the independence of the 

Confederacy in speech on 

floor of the House (April 

8, 1864)

Censured, 80-

70(April 14, 1864)

Benjamin G. Harris 

(MD) (1864)

II HINDS § 1254 

During House debate on 

resolution to expel Rep. 

Long, see above, 

encouraged the 

Confederacy (April 9, 

1864)

Censured, 98-20 

(April 9, 1864)

Rep. John W. 

Chanler (NY) 

(1866)

II HINDS § 1246 

“[A]ttempted a gross 

insult to the House” by 

proposing a resolution 

supporting a presidential 

veto (May 14, 1866)

Censured, 72-30 

(May 14, 1866)

Rep. Lovell H. 

Rousseau (KY) 

(1866)

II HINDS §§ 1654-

56 

Assaulted Rep. Josiah 

Grinnell (IA) with a cane 

outside the Capitol for 

alleged insult spoken in 

debate (June 14, 1866)

Special committee 

recommended expulsion (July 

2, 1866)

Censured, 89-30 

(July 17, 1866)

Resigned (July 21, 

1866); reelected 

Rep. John W. 

Hunter (NY) (1867)

II HINDS § 1249 

Insulted another Member 

during debate (Jan. 26, 

1867) 

Censured, 77-33 

(Jan. 26, 1867)

Rep. Fernando Wood 

(NY) (1868)

II HINDS § 1247 

Described Reconstruction 

legislation as a 

“monstrosity” (Jan. 15, 

1868)

Censured, 114-39

(Jan. 15, 1868)

Del. Edward D. 

Holbrook (ID) 

(1869)

II HINDS § 1305 

Stated in debate that 

another Member made false 

assertions (Feb. 4, 1869)

Censured (Feb. 4, 

1869) 
Case

Allegations

Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. Benjamin F. 

Whittemore (SC) 

(1870)

II HINDS § 1273 

Sold appointments to 

military academies (1870)

Comm. on Military Affairs 

recommended expulsion

(Feb. 21, 1870)

Censured

(“condemned”),187-0

(Feb. 24, 1870)

Resigned prior to 

censure; reelected to 

the same session of 

the House; excluded 

from House after 

reelection, 130-76 

(June 21, 1870)

Rep. John T. 

Deweese (NC) 

(1870)

II HINDS § 1239 

Accepted money for 

recommending appointment 

to military academy 

(1870)

Comm. on Military Affairs 

recommended censure after 

resignation (March 1, 1870)

Censured,170-0 

(March 1, 1870) 

Resigned prior to 

censure (Feb. 28, 

1870);

Rep. Roderick R. 

Butler (TN) (1870)

II HINDS § 1274 

Accepted money for 

recommending appointment 

to military academy 

(1870) 

Comm. on Military Affairs 

recommended censure (March 

16, 1870)

Censured, 150-0 

(March 16, 1870) 

Rep. Oakes Ames 

(MA) (1873)

II HINDS § 1286

Sold $33 million in 

Credit Mobilier stock to 

Members of Congress and 

officials of the 

executive branch at 

undervalued price with 

intent to influence votes 

and decisions of the 

Members (1868) 

Special committee 

recommended expulsion (Feb. 

18, 1873); Judiciary Comm. 

recommended against 

expulsion because acts in 

question occurred three 

years before election to 

42nd Congress (Feb. 24, 

1873)

Censured (“House 

absolutely condemns 

the conduct”), 182-

36 (Feb. 27, 1873)

Rep. James Brooks 

NY) (1873) 

II HINDS § 1286

Solicited and accepted 50 

shares of Credit 

Mobilier stock at 

undervalued price (1868) 

Special committee 

recommended expulsion (Feb. 

18, 1873)

Censured, 174-32 

(Feb. 27, 1873)

Rep. John Young 

Brown (KY) (1875)

II HINDS § 1251 

Insulted a Member in 

debate and lied to the 

Speaker (Feb. 4, 1875) 

Censured, 161-79 

(Feb. 4, 1875); 

unanimously agreed 

to resolution 

rescinding portion 

of censure 

regarding comments 

to Speaker (May 2, 

1876)

Former Speaker 

concluded Rep. Brown 

“did not in any way 

intend to prevaricate 

or deceive the House” 

(May 2, 1876)
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. William King 

(MN) and Rep. John 

Schumaker 

(NY)(1876) 

II HINDS § 1283

Corruption and false 

testimony before 

congressional committee 

Majority report of Judiciary 

Comm. concluded House had no 

jurisdiction to investigate 

alleged offense committed in 

a previous Congress that was 

being reviewed by the 

courts, 16-7(Aug. 9, 1876)

Directed Judiciary 

Comm. to 

investigate, voice 

vote (Jan. 24, 

1876)

Rep. Charles Hays 

(AL) (1876)

H. R. Mis. Doc. 

No. 177, 44th

Cong., 1st Sess.; 

H. REP. NO. 792, 

44th Cong., 1st

Sess. (1876)

Accepted money to 

nominate an individual 

not from his district to 

military academy and made 

false certification 

regarding residency of 

nominee (March 4, 1875)

Comm. recommended House take 

no further action but 

concluded actions of Member 

“excites grave suspicions, 

and shows in any possible 

view a carelessness which 

ought not to be tolerated”, 

4-2 (July 19, 1876)

Report of Judiciary 

Comm. tabled (Aug. 

2, 1876)

Rep. James G. 

Blaine (ME)(1876)

H.R. MISC. DOC. 

NO. 176 (1876)

Newspaper articles 

alleged Rep. Blaine, as 

Speaker, sold worthless 

bonds to Union Pacific 

Railroad for $64,000 

(1871)

Investigative subcommittee 

of Judiciary Comm. appointed 

and held hearings (May and 

June 1876); Rep. Blaine 

refused to produce letters 

and correspondence to 

Committee (June 10, 1876) 

Question of 

privilege raised 

(June 5, 1876); 

Judiciary Comm. 

report ordered 

printed (June 6, 

1876); motion to 

reconsider tabled, 

127-90 (June 9, 

1876)

Resigned (July 10, 

1876)

Rep. Robert Smalls 

(SC) (1878)

H. REP. NO. 100, 

45th Cong., 2d 

Sess. (1878)

Convicted of accepting a 

bribe while a state 

legislator in 1872 (Nov. 

11, 1877); sentenced to 

three years imprisonment 

(served three days) (Nov. 

26, 1877); released on 

bail pending appeal; 

returned to Congress 

(Dec. 3, 1877)

Judiciary Comm. investigated 

circumstances of the 

conviction and determined 

that arrest of Rep. Smalls 

by state authorities for an 

alleged state crime and 

detention for trial did not 

violate any right or 

privilege of the House (Jan. 

25, 1878)

Pardoned by governor 

(April 23, 1879)

Rep. John Van 

Voorhis (NY) 

(1883)

II HINDS § 1258 

Violated privileges of 

the House by insulting 

another Member during 

debate (March 1, 1883)

Censure resolution 

failed, 66-78 

(March 1, 1883)

Apologized prior to 

vote
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. William 

Kellogg (LA) 

(1884) 

II HINDS § 1287 

Corruption for conduct 

that occurred prior to 

election to the House 

According to Hinds, “no 

report appears to have been 

made.”

Rep. Kellogg raised 

a question of 

privilege (asked 

Justice Dept. to 

investigate); 

resolution referred 

to the Judiciary 

Comm., 82-49 (May 

23, 1884)

Rep. William D. 

Bynum (IN) (1890)

II HINDS § 1259

Insulted another Member 

during debate (May 17, 

1890)

Censured 126-104 

(May 17, 1890) 

Rep. George Lilley 

(CT)(1908)

VI CANNON § 400 

Contempt of House (made 

false charges of 

corruption regarding 

another Member) (1908)

Select Committee adopted 

report concluding Rep. 

Lilley made false 

allegations against another 

Member and acted in contempt 

of House by disavowing 

letter reflecting on honor 

and integrity of other 

Members of the House (May 

20, 1908)

Approved report and 

conclusions of 

Select Comm., 159-

82 (May 20, 1908)

Rep. James 

McDermott (IL 

(1914)

VI CANNON §§ 396-

398

Newspaper articles 

alleged National 

Association of 

Manufacturers and other 

groups attempted to bribe 

numerous Members of 

Congress (June 1913)

Select Committee to 

Investigate Lobby Charges 

recommended censure of Rep. 

McDermott and exonerated six 

other Members (Dec. 9, 

1913); Judiciary Comm. 

recommended resolution 

“strongly” condemning 

conduct of Rep. McDermott 

(April 24, 1914)

Resigned prior to 

House action (July 21,

1914); reelected 

(Nov. 1914)

Rep. Thomas L. 

Blanton (TX) 

(1921)

VI CANNON § 236 

Inserted a document in 

Congressional Record

containing indecent and 

obscene language (Oct. 

22, 1921)

Censured 

(“resolution of 

reprimand and 

censure”), 293-0 

(Oct. 27, 1921) 

Apologized (Oct. 28,

1921)
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. John Langley 

(KY) and Rep. 

Frederick Zihlman 

(MD) (1924)

VI CANNON §§ 402-

403

Grand jury reported to 

court that “certain sums 

of money were paid to two 

Members of Congress” 

(1924); Rep. Langley 

convicted of conspiracy 

to violate National 

Prohibition Act [18 

U.S.C. § 371] (May 13, 

1924)

Special Comm. recommended no 

further action against Rep. 

Zihlman and to defer action 

on Rep. Langley until 

conclusion of criminal 

appeal (May 15, 1924)

Rep. Zihlman was 

acquitted of the 

criminal charge; Rep. 

Langley did not 

participate in 

proceedings of the 

House after conviction

Rep. John Langley 

(KY)(1926)

VI CANNON § 238 

Conviction affirmed by 

appeals court (Nov. 13, 

1925)

Special Comm. concluded that 

House could not expel a 

Member for action prior to 

election; recommended no 

action until decision by 

Supreme Court (Dec. 22, 

1925) 

Referred 

credentials to 

special committee 

after reelection 

(Dec. 9, 1925)

Reelected (fall 1925);

resigned after Supreme

Court declined to 

review case (Jan. 11, 

1926)

Rep. Adam Clayton 

Powell (NY) (1967)

H. REP. NO. 2349, 

89th Cong. 2d Sess. 

(1966); H. REP. 

NO. 27, 90th 

Cong., 1st Sess. 

(1967) 

Used committee travel 

funds for personal travel 

while Chairman of 

Education and Labor 

Comm., improperly 

authorized clerk hire 

payments to his wife and 

contempt of court (failed 

to comply with four state 

court orders, including 

one criminal conviction 

for contempt) (Nov. 17, 

1966) 

Comm. on Education and Labor 

concluded funds were used 

for non-official travel and 

found “strong presumption” 

that wife did not perform 

the services for which she 

was paid with congressional 

funds (Jan. 3, 1967); Select 

Committee appointed by House 

recommended censure, $40,000 

restitution and reduction of 

seniority (Feb. 23, 1967)

Excluded, 307-116 

(March 1, 1967); 

seated after 

reelection to 91st

Cong., fined 

$25,000 and 

seniority reduced, 

254-158 (Jan. 3, 

1969)

Reelected to 90th

Congress after 

exclusion but did not 

take seat (Apr. 11, 

1967), reelected to 

91st Congress; Supreme 

Court held exclusion 

unconstitutional, see

(Powell v. McCormack, 

395 U.S. 486 (1969)

Investigation into 

Voting 

Discrepancies 

(1969)

115 Cong. Rec., 

16629 (June 19, 

1969)

Alleged irregularities in 

House voting procedures 

(Members who were out of 

town recorded as having 

voted) (1968)

Speaker referred report by 

Clerk to Standards Comm. 

(Sept. 27, 1968); ordered 

staff inquiry (Oct. 1, 

1968); reported to House 

(June 19, 1969)

Tally Clerk resigned; 

Comm. determined that 

honest errors 

accounted for 

discrepancies; 

recommended 

installation of 

modernized voting 

system
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. John Dowdy 

(TX)(1971)

H. REP. No. 92-

1039, 92nd Cong., 

2d Sess. (1972)

Convicted on eight counts 

of conspiracy (to violate 

bribery statute and 

obstruction of justice 

statute), interstate 

travel to facilitate 

bribery and perjury 

(received $25,000 to 

hinder a federal 

investigation of a 

Maryland company in 1965) 

(Dec. 31, 1971) 

Comm. reported H. Res. 933 

(sense of the House that any 

Member sentenced to two or 

more years’ imprisonment 

should refrain from voting 

on House or Committee 

business), 10-2 (May 3, 

1972); Rules Comm. did not 

report H. Res. 933 in 92nd

Cong.; unanimously adopted 

H. Res. 46 (March 12, 1975)

Passed H. Res. 46, 

360-37 (April 16, 

1975)(adding clause 

10 to Code of 

Official Conduct, 

stating policy of 

House that Member 

convicted of a 

serious crime 

voluntarily refrain 

from voting) 

Refrained from voting 

on the floor or in 

committee and from 

participating in 

committee business 

after conviction; 

declined to run for 

reelection; 4th

Circuit Court of 

Appeals reversed 

convictions on five 

of eight counts but 

upheld three perjury 

convictions(1973), 

see U.S. v. Dowdy, 

479 F.2d 213 (4

th

Cir., 1973) 

Rep. Michael J. 

Harrington (MA) 

(1975)

H. REP. NO. 94-

1792, 94th Cong., 

2d Sess. 3-4 

(1977)

Public disclosure of 

executive session 

testimony by CIA Director 

to House Armed Services 

Investigations 

Subcommittee (Apr. 22, 

1974); [House Rule 11, 

clause 27(o)(93rd Cong.); 

Armed Services Comm. R. 

10]

Complaint filed by a Member 

(Sept. 5, 1975); Comm. 

adopted resolution directing 

investigation, 7-2 (Oct. 21, 

1975); complaint dismissed, 

7-3 (Nov. 6, 1975) 

Comm. determined 

information had not

been properly 

classified

Rep. Robert L.F. 

Sikes (FL)(1976)

H. REP. NO. 94-

1364, 94th Cong., 

2d Sess. (1976)

Improper financial 

disclosure [R. 44] and 

conflict of interest 

[Code of Ethics for 

Government Service ¶ 5] 

44 Members of the House 

transmitted complaint by an 

outside organization (April 

6, 1976); Comm. voted to 

conduct inquiry, 9-0 (April 

9, 1976); found violations 

of R. 44, and the Code of 

Ethics, recommended 

reprimand, 10-2 (July 21, 

1976)

Reprimanded, 381-

3(July 29, 1976)

Comm. found Rep. Sikes

failed to disclose 

stock holdings, 

invested in bank stock

while engaged in 

official actions on 

behalf of bank and 

sponsored legislation 

without disclosing 

personal interest in 

property 

Rep. Wayne L. Hays 

(OH) (1976)

H. REP. NO. 94-

1792, 94th Cong., 

2d Sess., at 4 

(1977)

Retained employee on 

public payroll for 

immoral purposes (1974-

76)

Rep. Hays and other members 

requested Comm. investigate 

press allegations; Comm. 

ordered investigation (June 

2, 1976)

Resigned prior to 

hearings (Sept. 1, 

1976)
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. Andrew J. 

Hinshaw (CA) 

(1976)

H. REP. NO. 94-

1477, 94th Cong., 

2d Sess. (1976)

Convicted of state 

bribery charges for 

conduct prior to election 

(Jan. 26, 1976)

Comm. recommended against 

expulsion (lack of 

jurisdiction for actions 

committed prior to service

in House), 10-2 (Sept. 1, 

1976)

Expulsion 

resolution referred 

to Standards Comm. 

(June 30, 1976); 

expulsion 

resolution tabled

(Oct. 1, 1976)

Refrained from voting 

pending appeal; lost 

primary (June 8, 

1976); convicted of 

additional charges 

(theft of public 

funds)(Dec. 3, 1976) 

Investigation 

Concerning 

Unauthorized 

Publication of the 

Report of the 

Select Committee 

on Intelligence 

(1976) 

H. REP. NO. 94-

1754, 94th Cong., 

2

nd Sess. (1976)

Improper publication of 

Select Intelligence 

Committee report (Feb. 

13, 1976)

Public hearings (July 19-21, 

1976); CBS reporter 

subpoenaed (Aug. 25, 1976); 

reporter refused to answer 

questions (Sept. 15, 1976); 

Comm. declined to recommend 

prosecution or sanctions 

against reporter (Sept. 22, 

1976); adopted report, 7-1 

(Sept. 29, 1976)

House directed 

Standards Comm. to 

investigate, 269-

115 (Feb. 19, 1976)

Comm. concluded the 

leak to press came 

from the legislative 

branch but could not 

identify the person 

who made the report 

available to press 

Rep. Edward J. 

Patten (NJ) (1978)

H. REP. NO. 95-

1740, 95th Cong., 

2d Sess. (1978); 

H. REP. NO. 95-

1817, 95th Cong., 

2d Sess. (1978)

Made political 

contribution with funds 

provided by another [R. 

43(1)] (1975)

Conducted inquiry pursuant 

to House resolution and 

adopted Statement of Alleged 

Violation (“SAV”) (July 12, 

1978); held public 

investigative hearing (Sept. 

26, 1978); dismissed 

charges, 8-0 (Oct. 4, 1978)

Adopted resolution 

instructing Comm. 

on Standards to 

investigate, 

388-0 (Feb. 9, 

1977)

Korean Influence 

Investigation

Rep. Charles H. 

Wilson (CA) (1978)

H. REP. NO. 95-

1741, 95th Cong., 

2d Sess. (1978)

False statement on answer 

to Standards Committee 

questionnaire regarding 

Korean Influence 

Investigation [R. 43(1)] 

(July 28, 1977) 

Conducted inquiry and 

adopted SAV (July 12, 1978); 

held public investigative 

hearing (Sept. 14, 1978); 

sustained count with a 

modification to the language 

of the SAV, 8-1 (Sept. 27, 

1978); recommended 

reprimand, 8-1 (Sept. 27, 

1978)

Adopted resolution 

instructing Comm. 

on Standards to 

investigate, 

388-0 (Feb. 9, 

1977); reprimanded, 

329-41(Oct. 13, 

1978)

Korean Influence 

Investigation
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. John J. 

McFall (CA) (1978)

H. REP. NO. 95-

1742, 95th Cong., 

2d Sess. (1978) 

Failed to report $3000 

campaign contribution 

[R. 43(1)](1974)

Conducted inquiry and 

adopted SAV (July 12, 1978); 

held public investigative 

hearing (Sept. 20, 21, 25, 

1978); sustained first count 

of SAV, 8-3 and recommended 

reprimand, 8-2 (Oct. 4, 

1978)

Adopted resolution 

instructing Comm. 

on Standards to 

investigate, 

388-0 (Feb. 9, 

1977); reprimanded, 

voice vote (Oct. 

13, 1978)

Korean Influence 

Investigation; 

resigned (Dec. 31, 

1978)

Rep. Edward J. 

Roybal (CA) (1978)

H. REP. NO. 95-

1743, 95th Cong., 

2d Sess. (1978)

Failed to report campaign 

contribution [R. 43(1)], 

converted campaign funds 

to personal use [R. 

43(6)], made false 

statement to Standards 

Comm. [R. 43(1)] (1974)

Conducted inquiry and 

adopted SAV (July 12, 1978); 

held public investigative 

hearing (Sept. 13, 1978); 

sustained three of four SAV 

counts (modified language of 

two counts and dismissed 

false statement count), 9-0 

and recommended censure 

(Sept. 27, 1978)

Adopted resolution 

instructing Comm. 

on Standards to 

investigate, 

388-0(Feb. 9, 

1977); rejected 

censure 

recommendation,

219-170; 

reprimanded, voice 

vote (Oct. 13, 

1978)

Korean Influence 

Investigation

Rep. Joshua 

Eilberg (PA)(1978)

H. REP. NO. 95-

1818, 95th Cong., 

2d Sess., at 3 

(1978)

Indicted for conflict of 

interest (helped hospital

receive federal grant)[18 

U.S.C. § 203](Oct. 24, 

1978)

Conducted inquiry and 

adopted SAV (Sept. 13, 1978)

Defeated for 

reelection (Nov. 1978)

Rep. Charles C. 

Diggs, Jr. (MI) 

(1979)

H. REP. NO. 96-

351, 96th Cong., 1st

Sess. (1979)

Convicted of 11 counts

of mail fraud [18 U.S.C. 

§ 1341] and 18 counts of 

false statements [18 

U.S.C. § 1001] (Oct. 7, 

1978)

Member Complaint filed (Feb. 

2, 1978); Investigative 

Subcommittee appointed (Feb. 

7, 1978); resolution to 

conduct inquiry adopted, 9-0 

(March 21, 1979); SAV 

adopted, 10-0 (April 4, 

1979); Member admitted 

violating R. 43(1) and 

43(8), apologized and agreed 

to make restitution of 

$40,031.66 (June 27, 1979); 

recommended censure, 11-0 

(June 29, 1979)

Expulsion 

resolution offered 

and referred to 

Comm. on Standards, 

322-77 (March 1, 

1979); censured, 

414-0 (July 31, 

1979)

Reelected after 

conviction (Nov. 7, 

1978); resigned after 

losing criminal appeal

(June 3, 1980)
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Iran Investigation 

(1979)

Comm. Print (1979)

Bribery and blackmail of 

Members of Congress by 

former Iranian Ambassador

Appointed Special Counsel 

and directed staff to 

investigate (March 19, 

1979); staff report made 

public (Oct. 24, 1979) 

Staff concluded there 

was no evidence 

indicating misconduct

Rep. Daniel J. 

Flood (PA) (1980)

H. REP. NO. 96-

856, 96th Cong., 2d 

Sess. (1980)

Used official influence 

on behalf of private 

parties and foreign 

governments in return for 

unlawful payments

[R. 43(1), R. 43(3); Code 

of Ethics ¶ 5]

Special Counsel appointed, 

Investigative subcommittee 

established (April 19, 

1978); SAV adopted (June 7, 

1979); disciplinary hearing 

deferred due to 

hospitalization (Dec. 12, 

1979); report filed (March 

26, 1980) 

Resigned (effective 

Jan. 31, 1980); 

pleaded guilty to 

misdemeanor 

(conspiracy to defraud

government) (Feb. 26, 

1980) 

South African 

Investigation 

(1980)

Comm. Print (1980)

Bribery of Members of 

Congress by South African 

government and improper 

travel by Members and 

staff

Appointed Special Counsel;

staff report released (May 

14, 1980) 

Report found no 

evidence of 

intentional misconduct

Voting Anomalies 

in the House of 

Representatives 

(1980)

H. REP. NO. 96-

991, 96th Cong., 2d 

Sess.(1980)

Votes recorded in the 

name of two Members who 

were not present (May 14, 

1979 and July 30, 1979) 

Member requested inquiry; 

Subcommittee appointed 

(Sept. 30, 1979); report 

filed (May 15, 1980)

Comm. determined 

existing rules 

provided insufficient 

basis for a penalty; 

recommended amendment 

to House R. 8 clearly 

prohibiting proxy 

voting

Rep. Charles H. 

Wilson (CA) (1980)

H. REP. NO. 96-930 

(Parts 1 and 2), 

96th Cong., 2d 

Sess. (1980) 

Accepted money from 

person with direct 

interest in legislation 

[R. 43(1), R. 43(4)]; 

maintained person on 

payroll not performing 

duties commensurate with 

pay [R. 43(8)]; personal 

use of campaign funds [R. 

43(6)]

Investigative Subcommittee 

appointed (Feb. 7, 1979); 

adopted motion to conduct an 

inquiry, 7-0 (Nov. 28, 

1979); SAV adopted, 7-2 

(Dec. 12, 1979); 

disciplinary hearing (March 

21-April 16, 1980); 

sustained 8 counts of 

amended SAV (April 16, 

1980); recommended censure 

and denial of chairmanship, 

10-2 (April 24, 1980)

Agreed to amendment 

deleting denial of 

chairmanship from 

sanction, 261-148; 

censured, voice 

vote (June 10, 

1980)

Defeated in primary 

(June 3, 1980)
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. Michael J. 

Myers (PA) (1980)

H. REP. NO. 96-

1387, 96th Cong., 

2d Sess. (1980)

Convicted of bribery, 

conspiracy and Travel Act 

violations (Aug. 30, 

1980)

Preliminary inquiry voted 

(Sept. 3, 1980); Special 

Counsel hired; adopted SAV 

(Sept. 16, 1980); 

recommended expulsion, 10-2 

(Sept. 24, 1980)

Resolutions to 

investigate (Oct. 

2, 1980 and March 

4, 1981); expelled, 

376-30 (Oct. 2, 

1980)

ABSCAM Investigation; 

SAV charged violations

of House R. 43(1), 

House R. 43(2), and 

House R. 43(3)

Rep. John 

Jenrette, Jr. (SC) 

(1980)

H. REP. NO. 96-

1537, 96th Cong., 

2d Sess. (1980) 

Convicted of bribery and 

conspiracy (Oct. 7, 

1980); accepted money in 

return for promising to 

use official influence

[H. R. 43(1)-(3)]

Preliminary inquiry voted 

(Nov. 13, 1980); adopted SAV 

(Dec. 3, 1980); sanction 

hearing terminated by 

resignation (Dec. 10, 1980); 

report filed (Dec. 16, 1980)

Resolutions to 

investigate (Oct. 

2, 1980 and March 

4, 1981)

ABSCAM Investigation; 

defeated for 

reelection (Nov. 

1980); resigned (Dec. 

10, 1980); SAV charged

violations of R. 

43(1)-(3)

Rep. Raymond F. 

Lederer (PA) 

(1981)

H. REP. NO. 97-

110, 97th Cong., 1st

Sess. (1981)

Convicted of bribery, 

acceptance of an unlawful 

gratuity, conspiracy and 

Travel Act violations 

(Jan. 9, 1981)

Preliminary inquiry voted 

(March 11, 1981); adopted 

SAV (April 2, 1981);

expulsion recommended, 10-2 

(April 28, 1981); report 

filed (May 20, 1981)

Resolutions to 

investigate (Oct. 

2, 1980 and March 

4, 1981)

ABSCAM Investigation; 

resigned (Apr. 29, 

1981); SAV charged 

violations of R. 

43(1)-(3)

Rep. John Murtha 

(PA)(1981)

H. REP. NO. 97-

1004, 97th Cong., 

1

st Sess., at 6 

(1983)

Bribery and conspiracy Preliminary inquiry voted 

(May 28, 1981); dismissed 

(July 28, 1981) (Special 

Counsel resigned)

Resolutions to 

investigate (Oct. 

2, 1980 and March 

4, 1981)

ABSCAM Investigation;

recused from ABSCAMrelated investigations

(member of Standards 

Comm.)

Rep. Frederick W. 

Richmond (NY) 

(1982)

H. REP. NO. 97-

1004, 97th Cong., 

1

st Sess., at 6 

(1983)

Pleaded guilty to felony 

charge of evading federal 

taxes, two misdemeanors 

involving a government 

contract, and misdemeanor 

possession of marijuana 

(Aug. 25, 1982)

Preliminary inquiry voted 

(May 12, 1982); deferred at 

request of Justice Dept. 

("DOJ")

Resigned (Aug. 25, 

1982)
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

“Sex and Drugs 

Investigation” 

(1982-1983)

H. REP. NO. 97-

965, 97th Cong., 

2nd Sess. (1982); 

H. REP. NO. 98-

205, 98th Cong., 

1st Sess. (1983); 

H. REP. NO. 98-

297, 98th Cong., 

1st Sess. (1983); 

H. REP. NO. 98-

559, 98th Cong., 

1st Sess. (1983)

Investigation of improper 

sexual conduct, illicit 

use or distribution of 

drugs and preferential 

treatment of House 

employees

Appointed Special Counsel 

and voted three preliminary 

inquiries regarding the sex 

investigation and six 

preliminary inquiries 

regarding the drug 

investigation, see below 

Direct Standards 

Comm. to 

investigate, 407-1 

(July 13, 1982); 

voice vote (Jan. 3, 

1983)

Rep. Gerry Studds 

(MA) (1983)

H. REP. NO. 98-

295, 98th Cong., 

1st Sess.(1983)

Sexual relationship with 

17-year old male House 

page that occurred 10 

years earlier in 1973 [R. 

43(1)]

Special Counsel 

investigated; recommended 

reprimand and filed report, 

11-1 (July 14, 1983)

Rejected reprimand 

recommendation, 

289-136; Censured, 

421-3 (July 20, 

1983)

Sex and Drugs 

Investigation, 

admitted consensual 

relationship and 

waived right to SAV

Rep. Daniel Crane 

(IL)(1983)

H. REP. NO. 98-

296, 98th Cong., 

1st Sess. (1983)

Sexual relationship with 

17-year old female House 

page in 1980 [R. 43(1)]

Special Counsel 

investigated; SAV adopted, 

recommended reprimand, 11-1 

July 14, 1983)

Rejected reprimand 

recommendation, 

289-136; Censured, 

421-3 (July 20, 

1983)

Sex and Drugs 

Investigation, 

apologized to House 

and admitted to 

consensual 

relationship; defeated

for reelection 

Majority Assistant 

Cloakroom Manager 

Robert Yesh (1983)

H. REP. NO. 98-

559, 98th Cong., 

1st Sess., at 15, 

57-60, 63, 65-67, 

71-72 (1983) 

Sold and used cocaine; 

used marijuana and 

cocaine with House pages

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(Dec. 14, 1982)

Sex and Drugs 

Investigation, 

resigned (April 15, 

1983); pleaded guilty 

to two federal 

misdemeanors (March 9,

1983)

James Beattie 

(Doorkeeper’s 

Office) (1983)

H. REP. NO. 98-

559, 98th Cong., 

1st Sess., at 65-

66, 71, 76 (1983)

Sold and used cocaine Preliminary Inquiry (date 

not made public)

Sex and Drugs 

Investigation, 

resigned (May 16, 

1983); pleaded guilty 

to two federal 

misdemeanors (July 28,

1983)

Majority Chief 

Page James C. 

Sexual relationship with 

a 17-year old female 

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(Dec. 14, 1982); SAV adopted 

Sex and Drugs 

Investigation, 
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Howarth (1983)

H. REP. NO. 98-

548, 98th Cong., 

1st Sess. (1983); 

H. REP. NO. 98-

559, 98th Cong., 

1st Sess., at 192, 

232-235, 322-323, 

348-359

House page who was under 

his direct supervision 

[R. 43(1)], used cocaine, 

and preferential 

treatment of employee 

(allowed page to miss 

work)

(July 14, 1983); hearing on 

SAV (Oct. 31, 1983); 

sustained count regarding 

sexual relationship and 

dismissed other charges, 11-

0 (Nov. 9, 1983); 

recommended dismissal, 11-0 

(Nov. 15, 1983)

resigned prior to 

House action (Nov. 15,

1983)

Rep. Charles 

Wilson (TX) (1983)

H. REP. NO. 98-

559, 98th Cong., 

1st Sess., at 4, 

15-16, 49-56, 395-

397 (1983)

Used cocaine and 

marijuana

Preliminary Inquiry voted; 

Special Counsel investigated 

and found no basis for SAV; 

Comm. took no further action 

(Nov. 17, 1983)

Sex and Drugs 

Investigation

Rep. Ronald 

Dellums (CA)(1983)

H. REP. NO. 98-

559, 98th Cong., 

1st Sess., at 3-4, 

15-16, 56-63, 398-

401, 406-409, 411-

419 (1983)

Used cocaine and 

marijuana

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(March 15, 1983); Special 

Counsel investigated and 

found no basis for charges; 

Comm. took no further action 

(Nov. 17, 1983)

Sex and Drugs 

Investigation

John Apperson 

(aide to Rep. 

Ronald Dellums) 

(1983)

H. REP. NO. 98-

559, 98th Cong., 

1st Sess., at 56-

63, 402-405, 410, 

420-422 (1983) 

Used cocaine Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(March 15, 1983); Special 

Counsel investigated and 

found no basis for charges; 

Comm. took no further action 

Nov. 17, 1983)

Sex and Drugs 

Investigation

Preliminary 

Inquiry against a 

Legislative 

Assistant (1983)

H. REP. NO. 98-

559, 98th Cong., 

1st Sess., at 72 

(1983)

Used cocaine Preliminary Inquiry voted; 

Special Counsel investigated 

and found no basis for 

charges; Comm. took no 

further action (Nov. 17, 

1983)

Sex and Drugs 

Investigation; name of

employee not revealed 

due to dismissal of 

case

Investigation of 

Alleged Improper 

Alterations of 

House Documents 

Unauthorized changes to 

text of hearing 

transcripts and other 

official documents (July 

Recommended corrected 

transcript be prepared; 

report filed (Nov. 14, 1983)

House directed 

Standards Comm. to 

investigate, 409-0 

Comm. found one 

instance of improper 

alteration; one 

employee dismissed 
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

(1983)

H. REP. NO. 98-

544, 98th Cong., 

1st Sess. (1983)

21 and 22, 1982) (June 30, 1983) from House employment
Case

Allegations

Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. George V. 

Hansen (ID) (1984)

H. REP. NO. 98-

891, 98th Cong., 

2d Sess. (1984) 

Convicted of four counts 

of making false 

statements (failed to 

report nearly $334,000 in 

loans and profits from 

1978-81)[18 U.S.C. § 

1001] (Apr. 2, 1984)

Special Counsel appointed; 

Preliminary inquiry voted 

(April 4, 1984); found 

violation of R. 44 and SAV 

adopted, 10-0 (June 14, 

1984); Reprimand 

recommended, 11-1 (June 20, 

1984)

Reprimanded, 354-52 

(July 31, 1984) 

Conviction vacated, 

U.S. v. Hansen, 906 F.

Supp. 688 (1995)

Rep. Geraldine A. 

Ferraro (NY) 

(1984)

H. REP. NO. 98-

1169, 98th Cong., 

2d Sess. (1984)

Inadequate and improper 

financial disclosure 

(1978-83) [R. 44]

Complaint filed by outside 

organization (Aug. 7, 1984); 

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(Sept. 12, 1984); found 

technical violations of R. 

44; no sanction recommended, 

12-2 (Dec. 3, 1984); report 

filed (Dec. 4, 1984)

Amended Financial 

Disclosure Statement; 

Comm. investigated 

leak of report, 

findings not released 

Investigation of 

Alleged Improper 

Political 

Solicitation 

(1985)

H. REP. NO. 99-

277, 99th Cong., 

1st Sess. (1985)

“Dear Colleague Letter” 

advertising political 

fundraising event 

distributed to House 

offices(June 24, 1985)

Complaint filed by two 

Members (July 10, 1985); 

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(July 17, 1985); violation 

of criminal statutes found 

but no sanction recommended 

[18 U.S.C. §§ 602, 607]; 

report approved and filed, 

10-0 (Sept. 19, 1985) 

Resolution 

directing Standards 

Comm. to 

investigate tabled, 

233-170 (July 10, 

1985)

Comm. determined no 

Member had knowledge 

of the contents of the

letter or details of 

its distribution; 

report admonished 

political 

organizations to be 

particularly mindful 

of federal law 

regarding such matters

Rep. Dan Daniel 

(VA) (1986)

H. REP. NO. 99-

470, 99th Cong., 

2d Sess. (1986)

Accepted free flights on 

corporate aircraft (1983-

85) [House R. 43(4), R. 

44, R. 45; 18 U.S.C. §§ 

287, 641, 1001]

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(Sept. 19, 1985); found 

violations of R. 43(4) and 

R. 44; no sanction 

recommended, report adopted 

and filed, 11-0 (Feb. 5, 

1986) 

Member made 

restitution and 

amended Financial 

Disclosure Statement
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. Mac Sweeney 

(TX) (1986)

H. REP. NO. 99-

1019, 99th Cong., 

2d Sess., at 7-8 

(1986)

Used official resources 

for political purposes 

and congressional staff 

required to campaign as a 

condition of continued 

employment

Rep. Sweeney requested 

review by Comm. (July 22, 

1986); violations found, no 

further action warranted, 

public letter to Rep. 

Sweeney (Sept. 11, 1986)

Comm. determined that 

campaign activities 

occurred in district 

office; no evidence 

Rep. Sweeney directed 

or condoned improper 

activities

Rep. James Weaver 

(OR) (1986)

H. REP. NO. 99-

933, 99th Cong., 

2d Sess. (1986)

Borrowed approximately 

$82,000 in campaign funds 

for personal use [R. 

43(6)] and inadequate 

financial disclosure of 

commodity investment 

transactions [R. 44]

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(Feb. 5, 1986); found 

violations of R. 43(6) and 

R. 44 found, recommended no 

sanction, report approved

and filed, 12-0 (Sept. 30, 

1986)

Comm. found no 

evidence of intent to 

avoid public 

disclosure

Rep. Fernand J. 

St. Germain (RI) 

(1987)

H. REP. NO. 100-

46, 100th Cong., 

1st Sess. (1987)

Accepted free flights on 

corporate aircraft [R. 

43(4)], intervened on 

behalf of an organization 

in which he had a 

financial interest and 

inadequate financial 

disclosure [R. 44]

Outside Counsel appointed; 

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(Feb. 5, 1986); found 

violations of R. 43(4), R. 

43(6) and R. 44, recommended 

no sanction, report approved 

and filed (April 9, 1987)

Comm. admonished all 

Members to avoid 

situations in which 

even an inference 

might be drawn 

suggesting improper 

action

Rep. Mary Rose 

Oakar (OH) (1987)

H. REP. NO. 100-

1125, 100th Cong. 

2d Sess., at 6-7 

(1989)

Purchased a townhouse 

with a member of her 

staff and improper salary 

disbursements to an 

employee

Informal staff review of 

press allegations; found 

improper payments but no 

fraudulent intent; 

recommended no sanction; 

letter released publicly 

(June 17, 1987)

Member made 

restitution for 

improper salary 

disbursements

Rep. Richard H. 

Stallings (ID) 

(1987)

H. REP. NO. 100-

382, 100th Cong., 

1st Sess. (1987)

Improper use of campaign 

funds (loan to cong. 

employee)

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(Sept. 23, 1987), found 

violations of R 43(6), 

adopted public letter of 

reproval, 12-0 (Oct. 15, 

1987)

Comm. found campaign 

made improper loans to 

Rep. Stallings and his 

administrative 

assistant; violations 

mitigated by lack of 

improper intent

Rep. William H. 

Boner (TN) (1987)

Comm. Print (1987)

Violations of the gift 

rule, improper use of 

campaign funds, conflict 

of interest, and improper 

use of official resources

Preliminary Inquiry 

authorized (Feb. 5, 1986); 

deferred at DOJ request 

(April 23, 1986); staff 

report published (Dec. 14, 

1987)

Resigned (Oct. 5, 

1987); staff found 

violations of R. 

43(1), R. 43(6), R. 

45, and COE ¶ 5

Rep. Austin J. 

Murphy (PA) (1987)

H. REP. NO. 100-

485, 100th Cong., 

Improper use of official 

resources and violation 

of House rules regarding 

voting 

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(June 23, 1987); SAV adopted 

(Sept. 23, 1987); 

disciplinary hearing 

sustained four of six counts 

Reprimanded, 324-68 

(Dec. 18, 1987)

Comm. found: Rep. 

Murphy allowed another 

person to cast his 

House vote [R. 8(1)], 

permitted former law 
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

1st Sess. (1987) (Nov. 17, 1987); sanction 

hearing waived; recommended 

reprimand, 11-0 (Dec. 16, 

1987)

firm access to 

official resources [31 

U.S.C. § 1301(a)and 

COE ¶ 5] and 

maintained employee on 

payroll who was not 

performing duties 

commensurate with pay 

[R. 43(8)]

Rep. Charles G. 

Rose, III (NC) 

(1988)

H. REP. NO. 100-

526, 100th Cong., 

2d Sess. (1988)

Borrowed campaign funds 

for personal use [R. 

43(6)] and inadequate 

financial disclosure [R. 

44]

Complaint filed by outside 

organization (Oct. 15, 

1986); Preliminary Inquiry 

voted (June 17, 1987); SAV 

adopted (Oct. 28, 1987); 

oral argument (Dec. 16, 

1987); sustained each SAV 

count (Feb. 18, 1988); Rep. 

Rose waived right to 

sanction hearing; adopted 

public letter of reproval, 

9-3 (Mar. 23, 1988)

Comm. found personal 

use of campaign funds 

and improper financial 

disclosure; determined 

sanction mitigated by 

disclosure of loans on 

FEC reports, repayment 

of funds and amendment 

of Financial 

Disclosure Statement;

paid $12,500 civil 

fine (1994)

Rep. Mario Biaggi 

(NY) (1988)

H. REP. NO. 100-

506, 100th Cong., 

2d Sess. (1988)

Convicted of accepting 

illegal gratuities, 

obstruction of justice 

and violation of the 

Travel Act (Sept. 22, 

1987) (accepted free 

vacations in exchange for 

using influence); 

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(Sept. 23, 1987); report 

finding violations adopted, 

12-0 (Nov. 4, 1987); 

disciplinary hearing (Dec. 

17, 1987); recommended 

expulsion, 12-0 (Feb. 17, 

1988)

House deferred 

action on expulsion 

resolution while 

Rep. Biaggi was on 

trial in second 

case

Resigned after 

additional conviction 

(Aug. 5, 1988) Comm. 

found violations of R. 

43(1), R. 43(2), R. 

43(4), R. 44 and COE ¶ 

5 

Del. Fofo I.F. 

Sunia (Am. Sam.) 

and Administrative 

Assistant Matthew 

K. Iuli (1988)

H. REP. NO. 100-

1125, 100th Cong. 

2d Sess., at 15-16 

(1989)

Each pleaded guilty to 

one count of conspiracy 

to defraud the government 

(authorized salary 

disbursements of 

approximately $130,000 to 

ghost employees and used 

funds to pay personal and 

political expenses) [18 

U.S.C. § 371] (Aug. 3, 

1988) 

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(Oct. 28, 1987); 

investigation deferred at 

DOJ request; Comm. 

determined actions violated 

conspiracy statute, brought 

discredit to the House, and 

violated COE ¶ 5 [R. 43 (1) 

and R. 43 (8)] (Aug. 9, 

1988) 

Del. Sunia and Iuli 

resigned (Sept. 6, 

1988) 

Rep. Patrick L. 

Swindall (GA) 

(1988) 

H. REP. NO. 100-

1125, 100th Cong., 

2d Sess., at 17 

(1989)

Indicted for perjury 

(Oct. 17, 1988)

Rep. Swindall requested 

investigation; Preliminary 

Inquiry voted

(June 23, 1988)

Defeated for 

reelection (Nov. 1988)

Rep. James C. 

Wright, Jr. 

(TX)(1989)

Preliminary Inquiry 

investigated: 1)Improper 

lobbying efforts on 

behalf of a constituent 

Complaint filed by Member 

(May 26, 1988), Special 

Outside Counsel appointed; 

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

Rep. Wright 

announced intent to 

resign as Speaker 

on House floor (May 

SAV charged: 1) Rep. 

Wright’s book was sold 

at speaking 

engagements to avoid 
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Comm. Print (April 

13, 1989); H. REP. 

NO. 101-995, 101st 

Cong., 2nd Sess. 

at 3-6 (1990)

with whom Rep. Wright had 

an interest in a private 

gas well, 2) intervention 

in a matter before the 

Department of the 

Interior on behalf of 

Texas Oil and Gas 

Company, 3) improper use 

of campaign funds to pay 

for publication of a book 

for which Rep. Wright 

received a 55% royalty 

(Reflections of a Public 

Man), 4) improper use of 

government resources on 

the book, 5) improper use 

of a condominium in Fort 

Worth, TX (free and 

below=market housing from 

real estate developer 

George Mallick) and 6) 

exercise of undue 

influence with officials 

of the Federal Home Loan 

Bank Board on behalf of 

four Texas businessmen 

regarding the savings and 

loan crisis

(June 9, 1988); report 

submitted by Special Outside 

Counsel (Feb. 21, 1989); SAV 

adopted, 12-0 (Apr. 13, 

1989); report of Special 

Outside Counsel made public 

(April 17, 1989) 

31, 1989) honoraria limits [R. 

43 (1), R. 47(1), 2 

U.S.C. § 441i],

(2) Rep. Wright 

received impermissible 

gifts from spouse’s 

employer [R. 43(4)] 

and (3) inadequate 

financial disclosure 

by Rep. Wright [R. 

44]; resigned from 

House (June 30, 1989) 
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. Jim Bates 

(CA) (1989)

H. REP. NO. 101-

293, 101st Cong., 

1st Sess. (1989)

Sexual harassment and 

improper campaign 

activity in congressional 

office 

Complaints filed (Oct. 7, 

1988); Preliminary Inquiry 

voted (Aug. 3, 1989); Rep. 

Bates waived rights to SAV 

and disciplinary hearing 

(Oct. 10, 1988); adopted 

public letter of reproval 

(Oct. 18, 1989)

Member admitted to 

violations

Rep. Robert Garcia 

(NY) (1990)

H. REP. NO. 101-

995, 101st Cong., 

2d Sess., at 12-13 

(1990)

Rep. Garcia and wife 

convicted of conspiracy 

and Travel Act violations 

(receipt of $170,000 in 

payments, loan, and a 

diamond necklace from 

defense contractor) (Oct. 

20, 1989) and acquitted 

of four counts of bribery 

and receipt of illegal 

gratuities

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(Oct. 31, 1989); Rep. Garcia 

resigned (Jan. 7, 1990)

Conviction overturned,

U.S. v. Garcia, 907 

F.2d 380 (2nd Cir. 

1990); convicted after

re-trial (1991); 

conviction overturned,

U.S. v. Garcia, 992 

F.2d 409 (1993)

Rep. Gus Savage 

IL) (1990)

H. REP. NO. 101-

397, 101st Cong., 

2d Sess. (1990)

Improper sexual advances 

toward a female Peace 

Corps volunteer (March 

1989)

Complaints filed by two 

Members (July 20, 1989 and 

July 21, 1989); Preliminary 

Inquiry voted (Aug. 3, 

1989); Rep. Savage 

apologized (Nov. 20, 1989); 

issued public report 

disapproving of conduct, 12-

0 (Jan. 31, 1990)

Comm. found conduct 

violated R. 43(1) 

Rep. Newt Gingrich 

(GA)(1990)

Comm. Print (Mar. 

8, 1990); H. REP. 

NO. 101-995, 101st 

Cong., 2d Sess., 

at 6-8 (1990)

Book partnership used to 

avoid outside income 

limits or to obtain 

impermissible gifts or 

contributions [R. 43(4), 

R. 47], improper use of 

official resources to 

prepare book [R. 45] and

inadequate financial 

disclosure [R. 44]

Complaint filed by Member 

(Apr. 24, 1989); amended 

complaint filed (July 14, 

1989); second complaint 

filed (Oct. 25, 1989); 

Outside Counsel appointed; 

complaints dismissed and 

Comm. statement published, 

11-0 (Mar. 8, 1990)

Member directed to 

amend Financial 

Disclosure Statements 

and to exercise better

oversight regarding 

use of official 

stationery and frank 
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. Barney Frank 

(MA) (1990)

H. REP. NO. 101-

610, 101st Cong., 

2d Sess. (1990)

1) Use of personal 

residence for 

prostitution by third 

parties, 2) improper 

contacts with probation 

office on behalf of 

personal assistant, 3) 

improper dismissal of 

assistant’s parking 

tickets, and 4) sexual 

activity in the House 

gymnasium 

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(Sept. 12, 1989); Rep. Frank 

admitted preparing memo 

containing misleading 

statements that could be 

perceived as an attempt to 

use political influence in a 

judicial matter and arranged 

improper dismissal of 

parking tickets for personal 

assistant, both in violation 

of R. 43 (1); Comm. 

recommended reprimand and 

restitution of parking 

tickets, 12-0 (July 20, 

1990)

Reprimanded, 408-18 

(July 26, 1990)

Member paid 

restitution for 

tickets 

Rep. Donald E. 

“Buz” Lukens 

(OH)(1990)

Comm. Print (Oct. 

24, 1990); H. REP. 

NO. 101-995, 101st 

Cong., 2d Sess., 

at 10-11 (1990)

Convicted of misdemeanor 

offense of contributing 

to the unruliness of a 

female minor (sex with an 

underage woman) (May 26, 

1989); made improper 

sexual advances to 

Capitol elevator operator 

(Oct. 17, 1990) 

Complaint filed (July 21, 

1989); Preliminary Inquiry 

voted (Aug. 3, 1989); 

Preliminary Inquiry 

resolution amended to 

include assertion of 

additional charges (Oct. 22, 

1990); staff report 

published (Oct. 24, 1990)

Resigned (Oct. 24, 

1990)

Rep. Gerry 

Sikorski 

(MN)(1990)

H. REP. NO. 101-

995, 101st Cong., 

2d Sess., at 13 

(1990)

Complaint dismissed (Jan. 

31, 1990)

Neither the subject of

the complaint, the 

filing date, nor the 

identity of the

complainant was 

disclosed by the 

Committee

Rep. Roy Dyson 

(MD)(1990)

H. REP. NO. 101-

995, 101st Cong., 

2d Sess., at 13 

(1990)

Complaint dismissed (Jan. 

31, 1990)

Neither the subject of

the complaint, the 

filing date, nor the 

identity of the 

complainant was 

disclosed by the 

Committee

House Bank (1991-

1992)

H. REP. NO. 102-

452, 102d Cong., 

2d Sess. (1992)

General Accounting Office 

report concluded that 

numerous Members 

routinely overdrew bank 

accounts (Sept. 18, 

1991)

Subcommittee appointed, 

Comm. Chairman recused (Oct. 

9, 1991); Subcommittee 

report adopted, 10-4 (March 

5, 1992; report filed (March 

10, 1002); disclosed list of 

22 current and former 

Members who "abused" their 

banking privileges (April 1, 

1992); disclosed names of 

all Members who wrote 

Authorized 

Standards Comm. to 

investigate, 390-8 

(Oct. 3, 1991); 

ordered House Bank 

closed (Dec. 31, 

1991); directed 

Standards Comm. to 

disclose names of 

abusers, 391-36 

(March 12, 1992); 

Three Members and one 

delegate convicted 

after leaving House of

charges related to 

House Bank: Rep. 

Albert Bustamante 

(TX)(1993), Rep. Carl 

Christopher Perkins 

(KY)(1994), Del. 

Walter Fauntroy 

(DC)(1995), and Rep. 
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

overdrafts on accounts but 

were not considered to have 

abused privileges (Apr. 16, 

1992)

directed Standards 

Comm. to disclose 

number of account 

overdrafts for each 

Member during 

period July 1, 

1988- Oct. 3, 1991, 

426-0 (March 13, 

1992)

Mary Rose Oakar 

(OH)(1997) 
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

House Post Office 

(1992-1994)

H. REP. NO. 103-

873, 103rd Cong., 

2d Sess., at 7-8 

(1994)

Investigation by U.S. 

Attorney for D.C. into 

allegations that clerks 

stole money from the 

House Post Office and 

distributed narcotics 

(1991); further 

investigation of Members 

trading stamps for cash 

(1992-1994)

Report filed by Comm. on 

House Administration (H. 

REP. NO. 102-713, July 24, 

1992); Standards Comm. 

established Task Force to 

review investigative records 

received from Comm. on House 

Administration; Standards 

Comm. deferred investigation 

at DOJ request (1992-1994)

Directed Comm. on 

House 

Administration to 

investigate, 254-

160 (Feb. 5, 1992); 

directed Admin. 

Comm. to transmit 

records to 

Standards Comm., 

414-0 (July 22, 

1992); supported 

decision by the 

Standards Comm. to 

defer, 241-184 

(Mar. 2, 1994)

Former House 

Postmaster pleaded 

guilty to misdemeanor 

conspiracy to embezzle

and aiding and 

abetting embezzlement 

(July 19, 1993); 

former Rep. Joseph 

Kolter (PA) convicted 

of charges related to 

Post Office (1996); 

seven former House 

employees convicted of

charges related to 

Post Office 

Rep. Newt Gingrich 

(GA)(1994-1997)

H. REP. NO. 104-

401, 104th Cong., 

1st Sess. (1995); 

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2d Sess., at 9-11, 

104th Cong., 2nd 

Sess. (1997); H. 

REP. NO. 105-1, 

105th Cong., 1st 

Sess.(1997) 

Complaint alleged 

improper use of official 

resources in preparation 

of a college course [R. 

45], conflict of 

interest, and improper 

use of tax-exempt 

entities in support of 

college course (Sept. 12, 

1994); investigation 

expanded to include 

allegations that: 1)Rep. 

Gingrich made false 

statements to Comm. on 

Standards, 2) his 

relationship with 

foundation/course 

violated foundation’s 

tax-exempt status under 

Section 501(c)3 of the 

IRS Code, 3) Rep. 

Gingrich used unofficial 

resources for official

purposes [R. 45], and 4) 

Rep. Gingrich’s 

activities and 

relationship with another 

foundation (Sept. 26, 

1995)

Complaint filed by former 

Rep. Ben Jones (GA) (Sept. 

12, 1994)(“First Jones 

Complaint”); Standards Comm. 

investigated and dismissed 

first two allegations (Rep. 

Gingrich made restitution to 

pay for the use of the 

official resources); 

initiated a Preliminary 

Inquiry regarding the third 

allegation and hired a 

Special Counsel (Dec. 6, 

1995); interim report 

(Sept. 26, 1996); three 

count SAV adopted (Dec. 13, 

1996); Rep. Gingrich 

admitted to amended onecount SAV and sanction 

recommendation (Dec. 21, 

1996); recommended reprimand 

and reimbursement of 

$300,000 to House for 

investigative expenses, 7-1; 

report filed (Jan. 17, 

1997)(acting as Select 

Comm. on Ethics)

Reprimanded and 

directed to 

reimburse $300,000, 

395-28 (Jan. 21, 

1997) 

Speaker admitted 

responsibility (but 

not intent) for two 

materially misleading 

statements to 

Standards Comm. and 

failure to seek and 

follow legal advice 

(failure to take 

appropriate steps to 

ensure workshop and 

college course were in

compliance with 

Internal Revenue 

Code), all in 

violation of R. 43(1)
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. Dan 

Rostenkowski 

(IL)(1994)

H. REP. NO. 103-

873, 103rd Cong., 

2d Sess., at 8 

(1994)

Indicted for mail fraud, 

wire fraud, witness 

tampering, concealing a 

material fact, false 

statements, embezzlement, 

and conspiracy (May 31, 

1994); complaint alleged 

conduct charged in the 

indictment violated R. 

43(1), R. 43(3) and R. 

43(8) 

Member complaint filed (June 

30, 1994); Comm. deferred 

action at request of U.S. 

Attorney (Aug. 17, 1994) 

Defeated for 

reelection (Nov. 1994)

Rep. Martin Frost 

(TX) (1994)

Public letter 

(Nov. 29, 1994)

Used congressional staff 

for redistricting work 

[R. 45]; campaign 

contributions by 

congressional staff (18 

U.S.C. § 603)

Complaint filed by outside 

organization (Sept. 2, 

1994); complaint dismissed; 

public letter released (Nov. 

29, 1994)

Comm. found technical 

violation of campaign 

regulations; Rep. 

Frost agreed to 

appropriate 

reimbursement 

Rep. Newt Gingrich 

(GA) (1995)

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2nd Sess., at 11-

13 (1997)

Re-alleged charges in 

“First Jones Complaint” 

and added charges: 

improper receipt of book 

royalties for To Renew 

America, improper book 

auction, conflict of 

interest, improper 

solicitation, improper 

use of official 

resources, and improper 

intervention with federal 

authorities [R. 43(1), R. 

45] 

Complaint by Member (for 

former Rep. Jones) (Jan. 26,

1995)(“Second Jones 

Complaint”); complaint 

dismissed (Dec. 6, 1995); 

Comm. recommended changes 

regarding book contracts 

(Dec. 12, 1995) 

Adopted Comm. 

resolution 

(restricting 

advances from book 

contracts but not 

subjecting royalty 

income to outside 

earned income 

limit), 259-128 

(Dec. 22, 1995)

Comm. concluded Rep. 

Gingrich did not 

violate R. 47 but 

strongly questioned 

“the appropriateness 

of what some could 

describe as an 

attempt...to capitalize 

on his office.”

Rep. Newt Gingrich 

(GA)(1995)

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2nd Sess., at 13 

(1997) 

Improperly used services 

of volunteer for official 

purposes [R. 45]

Member complaint filed (Feb. 

13, 1995)(“First Miller 

Complaint”); Comm. 

investigated; found 

violation of R. 45 and sent 

public letter to Rep. 

Gingrich but took no further 

action (Dec. 6, 1995); 

published report (Dec. 12, 

1995)

Comm. concluded use of

services of volunteer 

to assemble leadership

staff violated rules 

and the volunteer’s 

routine presence in 

Rep. Gingrich’s 

official office 

created the appearance

of improper 

commingling of 

political and official

resources
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. Newt Gingrich 

(GA) (1995)

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2nd Sess., at 14 

(1997)

Accepted free cable 

television coverage of 

college lectures [R. 

43(4), R. 47] [5 U.S.C. § 

7353](improper 

gifts/solicitation)

Member complaint filed (Feb. 

23, 1995) (“Schroeder, 

Johnston and McKinney 

Complaint”); Comm. 

investigated; complaint 

dismissed in public letter 

(Dec. 6, 1995); public 

report (Dec. 12, 1995)

Rep. Newt Gingrich 

(GA) (1995)

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2nd Sess., at 14-

15 (1997)

Improper statements on 

House floor for political 

reasons; official 

resources used for 

political purposes [R. 

45]

Two Member complaints filed 

(Mar. 8, 1995) and (May 15, 

1995)(“Bonior Complaints”); 

Comm. investigated; 

complaints dismissed in 

public letter (Dec. 6, 

1995); public report (Dec. 

12, 1995)

Comm. found twelve 

special orders 

speeches violated 

House Rules (use of 

the official resources

of the House floor for

political purposes); 

giving out 1-800 

number improper (no 

sanction due to misuse

by other Members); 

advised House that it 

intended to enforce 

violations in the 

future

Rep. Newt Gingrich 

(GA) (1995-1998)

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2d Sess., 16-18 

(1997); H. REP. 

NO. 105-848, 105th 

Cong., 2nd Sess., 

at 14-16 (1999) 

Complaint alleged 

violation of laws 

governing tax-exempt 

organizations, improper 

intervention with 

government agencies, 

receipt of improper

personal benefits from a 

PAC and violation of 

campaign finance rules 

Member complaint filed 

attempting to amend second 

Jones complaint (Dec. 14, 

1995); Comm. notified 

Members that complaint had 

to be re-filed (Jan. 25, 

1996); new Member complaint 

filed (Jan. 31, 1996) 

(“Bonior, DeLauro, Lewis, 

Miller & Schroeder 

Complaint”); Comm. referred 

first allegation to 

Investigative Subcommittee 

handling “First Jones 

Complaint” (Aug. 1, 1996); 

dismissed second allegation 

(Sept. 26, 1996); dismissed 

remaining allegations, 

letter released publicly 

(Oct. 10, 1998)

Comm. found repeated 

technical violations 

of R. 45 (took no 

further action as the 

violations occurred 

during 1990-91 and no 

evidence of continuing

violations); Comm. 

deferred to findings 

by court in PACrelated issues, see

FEC v. GOPAC, 917 F. 

Supp. 851 (1996) 
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. Richard Armey 

(TX) (1995)

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2nd Sess., at 19 

(1997)

Improper use of 

congressional stationery 

[R. 43(11)]

Member filed complaint on 

behalf of an outside 

organization (June 2, 1995); 

Rep. Armey admitted 

violation; complaint 

dismissed (June 13, 1995); 

public letter to Rep. Armey 

and press statement (June 

14, 1995)

Majority Leader; Comm.

strongly recommended 

Member take necessary 

steps to insure 

familiarity with House

Rules; Comm. re-issued

guidelines concerning 

the use of stationery

Rep. Mel Reynolds 

(IL)(1995)

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2nd Sess., at 19 

(1997)

Misuse of congressional 

staff for personal 

purposes, misuse of 

official resources, 

failure to repay personal 

debts and obstruction of 

justice; convicted in 

state court of criminal 

sexual assault, 

aggravated sexual abuse, 

solicitation of child 

pornography and 

obstruction of justice 

(Aug. 22, 1995);

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(June 28, 1995)

Resigned (Sept. 1, 

1995)

Rep. Charles 

Wilson (TX)(1995)

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2d Sess., at 19-20 

(1997)

Improper use of campaign 

funds and inadequate 

financial disclosure [R. 

43(6) and R. 44]

FEC transmitted information 

to the Comm. on Standards 

developed during an 

investigation (Aug. 28, 

1995); Rep. Wilson admitted 

error; complaint dismissed 

and letter released publicly 

(Dec. 7, 1995)

Campaign paid $90,000 

FEC fine; Comm. 

“admonished 

Representative Wilson 

to take all action 

necessary to ensure 

that he and his staff 

adhere to the Rules of

the House”
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. Walter Tucker 

(CA)(1995)

141 CONG. REC. 

36162 (1995)

Convicted on seven counts 

of extortion and two 

counts of tax evasion [18 

U.S.C. § 1951; 26 U.S.C § 

7206(1)](extorted $30,000 

from a local businessman 

while he was mayor of 

Compton, CA and failed to 

report payments on his 

taxes)[Dec. 8, 1995)

Expulsion 

resolution filed 

(Dec. 12, 1995)

Announced resignation 

on Dec. 12, 1995

(effective Dec. 15, 

1995)

Rep. David 

McIntosh (IN) 

(1996)

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2d Sess., at 20-21 

(1997)

Allowed a document that 

improperly used 

facsimile of an outside 

organization’s letterhead 

(distributed at a 

committee meeting and 

displayed on House floor) 

and improper questioning 

of a witness by a 

Congressional employee 

(questioned regarding 

observance of a religious 

holiday) 

Member complaints filed on 

behalf of outside 

organizations (Oct. 27, 1995 

and Dec. 5, 1995); 

complaints dismissed; letter 

to Rep. McIntosh (March 14, 

1996); Committee voted not 

to make letter public, 5-4 

(March 20, 1996)

Member apologized and 

formalized a written 

policy for his staff 

regarding harassing, 

insensitive or 

discriminatory 

behavior

Rep. Newt Gingrich 

(GA) (1996)

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2nd Sess., at 16 

(1997)

Improperly used services 

of volunteer in 

congressional offices [R. 

45]

Complaint filed by Member on 

behalf of outside 

organization (Nov. 15, 1995) 

(“Second Miller Complaint”); 

complaint dismissed; public 

letter released (March 29, 

1996)

Comm. concluded that 

the volunteer service,

which had terminated 

by the time of the 

complaint, did not 

comply with the 

applicable guidelines

Rep. Robert 

Torricelli (NJ) 

(1996) 

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2nd Sess., at 22 

(1997)

Used congressional fax 

machine to send a press 

release having a 

political purpose [R. 

43(1)-(2), Committee on 

House Oversight rules and 

31 U.S.C. § 1301(a)] 

Complaint filed by a Member 

(Dec. 21, 1995); complaint 

dismissed; public letter 

released (Mar. 29, 1996)

Comm. determined use 

of the fax machine 

violated applicable 

rules on use of 

official resources; 

Member reimbursed use 

of the fax

Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. Dick Zimmer 

(NJ) (1996)

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2nd Sess., at 22-

23 (1997)

Used congressional fax 

machine for non-official 

purpose [R. 45] 

Complaint filed by a Member 

(Dec. 21, 1995); complaint 

returned (Jan. 5, 1996); 

complaint re-submitted (Jan. 

19, 1996); complaint 

dismissed (March 29, 1996)

Rep. David Bonior 

(MI) (1996)

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2d Sess., at 24 

(1997)

First complaint alleged 

improper use of 

congressional employees 

with regard to book 

published by Rep. Bonior 

in 1984; second complaint 

alleged improper salary 

payments to member of 

staff prior to her 

marriage to Rep. Bonior 

Complaint filed by outside 

organization (March 6, 

1996); complaint returned 

(May 9, 1996)(violations 

occurred before the third 

previous Congress); second 

complaint filed by outside 

organization (March 20, 

1996); second complaint 

dismissed (May 8, 1996)

Minority Whip

Rep. Gerald 

Solomon (NY) 

(1996) 

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2nd Sess., at 24-

25 (1997)

Press release and letter 

sent to N.Y. state 

assemblyman included 

language that implied 

possible retaliation for 

political disagreement 

[R. 45]

Letter submitted by New York 

State assemblyman and seven 

colleagues (April 7, 1996); 

Rep. Solomon indicated he 

had not retaliated and had 

never intended to retaliate; 

complaint dismissed; public 

letter released (May 8, 

1996)

Letter advised Member 

to avoid appearance of

impropriety and be 

judicious in the 

language used on 

official letterhead

Rep. Jim McDermott 

(WA)(1996)

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2d Sess., at 25 

(1997) 

Complaint alleged 

conflict of interest 

(participated in Comm. 

deliberations involving 

complaints filed with the 

substantial assistance of 

a person affiliated with 

his political action 

committee) and violation 

of Comm. confidentiality 

rules 

Complaint filed by Member 

(July 17, 1996); dismissed 

complaint; public letter 

released (July 24, 1996)

Ranking Minority 

Member of Standards 

Comm. (recused from 

Comm. proceedings on 

this matter); letter 

cautioned Comm. 

members on public 

statements regarding 

Comm. matters
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. Newt Gingrich

(GA) (1996)

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2d Sess., at 16 

(1997)

Improperly used services 

of volunteer in 

congressional office [R. 

45]

Member complaint filed on 

behalf of outside 

organization (Apr. 22, 1996) 

(“Third Miller Complaint”); 

complaint dismissed; public 

letter released (Sept. 19, 

1996)

Member directed to 

take immediate steps 

to prevent the 

reoccurrence of 

similar incidents and 

insure compliance with

applicable standards 

and to guard against 

even the appearance of

impropriety

Rep. Richard 

Gephardt (MO) 

(1996)

H. REP. NO. 104-

886, 104th Cong., 

2d Sess., at 23-24 

(1997)

Complaint alleged 

inadequate financial 

disclosure (series of 

land sales and financial 

agreements regarding 

property purchased and 

exchanged in North 

Carolina )[R. 44], 

Internal Revenue Code 

violations [section 1031 

of the I.R.S. Code] and 

violated campaign finance 

rule [R. 43(6)]

Complaint filed by Member 

(Feb. 2, 1996); additional 

information obtained from 

Rep. Gephardt; Rep. Gephardt 

amended 1991 and 1992 

Financial Disclosure

Statements (Sept. 27, 1996); 

complaint dismissed; public 

letter released (Sept. 28, 

1996)

Minority Leader; 

letter noted that F.D.

amendments were filed 

more than three years 

after the original 

form was filed, 

amendments reflected 

gross rental income in

the range of $25,000 

to $50,000 and 

resolution of the 

matter had been 

delayed pending 

documentation from 

Rep. Gephardt’s 

attorney

Rep. Barbara-Rose 

Collins (MI) 

(1996)

H. REP. NO. 104-

876, 104TH Cong., 

2d Sess. (1997)

Misused official 

resources, misused 

campaign resources and 

misused scholarship funds 

Preliminary Inquiry voted 

(Dec. 5, 1995); 11-count SAV 

adopted (Sept. 12, 1996); 

Subcommittee recommended 

that no further action be 

taken due to pending loss of 

jurisdiction (Oct. 25, 1996; 

Comm. took no further action 

and filed report (Jan. 2, 

1997)

Defeated in primary 

(Aug. 6, 1996); SAV 

charged improper use 

of official resources,

improper use of 

campaign funds, misuse

of a scholarship fund,

improper unofficial 

account, improper 

raise to congressional

employees, and 

improper solicitation 

of campaign 

contributions
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Rep. Tom DeLay 

(TX)(1997) 

H. REP. NO. 105-

848, 105th Cong., 

2d Sess., at 9-10 

(1999)

Improperly linked 

campaign contributions to 

official actions and 

improper political favors 

for Rep. DeLay’s brother, 

a registered lobbyist

Complaint filed by outside 

organization (Sept. 5, 

1996); complaint dismissed; 

private letter sent to Rep. 

DeLay; press statement 

released (Nov. 7, 1997)

Press statement noted 

that Comm. advised 

Member to not create 

the impression that he

would consider an 

individual’s request 

for access or for 

official action based 

on campaign 

contributions

Rep. Jay Kim 

(CA)(1998)

H. REP. NO. 105-

797, 105th Cong., 

2d Sess. (1998) 

Pleaded guilty in federal 

court to three 

misdemeanor campaign 

finance law violations 

(knowingly accepted 

illegal corporate and 

foreign contributions) 

(Aug. 11, 1997)

Comm. deemed information 

received from Justice Dept. 

constituted complaint;

Investigative Subcommittee 

established (Dec. 17, 1997); 

Subcommittee adopted sixcount SAV and recommended no 

further action due to 

impending loss of 

jurisdiction (Oct. 2, 1998); 

Comm. unanimously adopted 

recommendation (Oct. 6, 

1998)

Defeated in primary 

(June 1998); SAV 

charged additional 

counts involving false

statements, improper 

gifts, improper 

financial disclosure, 

and attempt to 

improperly influence a

witness; Rep. Kim also

pleaded guilty on 

behalf of campaign to 

five felony violations

of campaign finance 

laws (Aug. 11, 1997)

Rep. E.G. “Bud” 

Shuster (PA)(1996-

2000)

H. REP. NO. 106-

979, 106th Cong., 

2d Sess. (2000) 

Relationship with 

lobbyist (former chief of 

staff) and intervention 

with federal agencies on 

behalf of constituent

Complaint filed by outside 

organization (Sept. 5, 

1996); Investigative 

Subcommittee established 

(Nov. 14, 1997); 

investigation partially 

deferred at DOJ request 

(June 10- Dec. 4, 1998); SAV 

adopted and Rep. Shuster 

admitted to SAV (July 26, 

2000); letter of reproval 

citing “serious official 

misconduct” unanimously 

adopted (Oct. 4, 2000)

Rep. Shuster admitted 

to one count SAV 

listing five areas of 

misconduct in 

violation of R. 43(1):

relationship with 

former chief of staff,

House gift rule, 

improper use of 

official resources, 

improper campaign work

by congressional 

employees, and 

appearance that 

campaign expenditures 

may not have been 

attributable to bona 

fide campaign or 

political purposes

Case Allegations Committee 

Action

House Action Comments
Case Allegations Committee 

Action

House Action Comments

Rep. Corrine Brown 

(FL)(2000) 

H. REP. NO. 106-

1044, 106th Cong., 

2d Sess., at 11-12 

(2001) 

Lodging for Member 

provided at premises 

owned or controlled by an 

imprisoned foreign 

national and gift of an 

automobile to Rep. 

Brown’s adult daughter 

(1997)

Investigative Subcommittee 

established (June 9, 1999); 

Subcommittee recommended no 

further action, Comm. 

accepted recommendation 

(Sept. 20, 2000); press 

statement released (Sept. 

21, 2000)

Comm. noted that 

actions demonstrated 

poor judgment and 

“created substantial 

concerns regarding... 

appearance of 

impropriety and the 

reputation of the 

House”

Rep. Earl Hilliard 

(AL) (2001)

H. REP. No. 107-

130, 107th Cong., 

1st. Sess. (2001)

Improper loans made by 

campaign committee, 

improper campaign 

expenditures, and 

improper financial 

disclosure

Investigative Subcommittee 

established (Sept. 22, 

1999); SAV adopted (April 4, 

2001); Rep. Hilliard 

admitted to SAV (Apr. 5, 

2001); letter of reproval 

citing “serious official 

misconduct” unanimously 

adopted (June 20, 2001)

Defeated in primary 

(June 2002); Rep. 

Hilliard admitted 

pattern and practice 

of violating R. 43(6) 

(improper campaign 

loans, improper use of

campaign funds, 

personal use of 

campaign funds)

Rep. Steve Buyer 

(IN)(2001)

Press Statement 

(Aug. 1, 2001)

Improper use of official 

resources for political 

purpose

Member complaint filed (July 

16, 2001); complaint 

dismissed unanimously and 

public letter sent to Rep. 

Buyer (Aug. 1, 2001)

Rep. James A. 

Traficant, Jr. 

OH)(2002)

H. REP. NO. 107-

594, 107th Cong., 

2d Sess. (2002)

Convicted of conspiracy 

to violate federal 

bribery and gratuity 

statutes, receipt of 

illegal gratuity, 

obstruction of justice, 

defrauding the 

government, racketeering, 

and tax evasion (April 

11, 2002)

Investigative Subcommittee 

established (April 17, 

2002); 10-count SAV adopted 

(May 22, 2002); adjudicatory 

hearing (July 15-17, 2002); 

sustained 9 counts 

(violations of R. 43(1), R. 

43(2), R. 43(3) and COE ¶ 

2); unanimously recommended 

expulsion (July 18, 2002) 

Expelled, 420-1 

(July 24, 2002)
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

Investigation into 

Voting on Medicare 

Prescription Drug 

Act of 2003 (2004)

H. REP. NO. 108-

722, 108th Cong., 

2nd Sess. (2004)

Member received 

communications linking 

support for the 

congressional candidacy 

of his son with his vote 

on the Medicare bill 

(Nov. 23, 2003)

Investigative Subcommittee 

established (Mar. 17, 2004); 

Subcommittee unanimously 

adopted report (Sept. 29, 

2004); Comm. unanimously 

adopted Subcommittee report 

(Sept. 30, 2004); report 

referred to House (Oct. 4, 

2004)

Report admonished Rep.

Tom DeLay (TX) 

(improperly linked 

personal interest of a

Member with effort 

achieve a legislative 

goal); Rep. Candice 

Miller (MI) 

(threatened to 

retaliate against a 

Member for vote); and 

Rep. Nick Smith (MI) 

(public statements 

risked impugning 

reputation of the 

House and failed to 

cooperate with Comm. 

investigation)

Rep. Tom DeLay 

(TX)(2004)

H. REP. NO. 108-

806, 108th Cong., 

2

nd Sess. at 20-21 

(2004)

Solicitation and receipt 

of campaign contributions 

in return for legislative 

assistance, use of 

corporate political 

contributions in 

violation of state law, 

and improper use of 

official resources for 

political purposes

Member complaint filed (June 

15, 2004); Comm. unanimously 

adopted recommendations of 

Chairman and Ranking 

Minority Member and public 

letter released(first and 

third allegations resolved 

by public letter and second 

allegation deferred due to 

state grand jury 

investigation) (Oct 6, 2004)

Majority Leader; 

admonished for 

participation in and 

facilitation of an 

energy company 

fundraiser (created an

appearance that donors

were being provided 

special access) and 

intervention in a 

partisan conflict 

using the resources of

a federal agency

Rep. Chris Bell 

(TX)(2004)

H. REP. NO. 108-

806, 108th Cong., 

2

nd Sess. at 20-21 

(2004); Press 

Statement (Nov. 

18, 2004)

Complaint filed by Rep. 

Bell against Rep. DeLay, 

see above, contained 

innuendo, speculative 

assertions, or conclusory 

statements in violation 

of Committee Rule 

15(a)(4)

Matter resolved by a public 

letter transmitted to Rep. 

Bell (Nov. 18, 2004)

Committee placed all 

Members on notice that

violation of Committee

Rule 15 is a basis for

summarily rejecting a 

complaint and may also

be the basis for 

initiating 

disciplinary action 

against the Member who

makes the filing; 

Committee stressed 

that this action not 

intended to inhibit 

the filing of good 

faith complaints

Rep. Karen 

McCarthy 

(MO)(2004)

H. REP. NO. 108-

Conversion of campaign 

funds to personal use [R. 

23(6)](Feb. 2003)

Committee issued public 

statement (Nov. 18, 2004)

Committee determined 

that Member failed to 

established a trip had

“bona fide campaign or
Case Allegations Committee Action House Action Comments

806, 108th Cong., 

2

nd Sess. at 22

(2004)

political purposes” 

and failed to make 

repayment required by 

Committee

Rep. James 

McDermott 

(WA)(2004)

H. REP. NO. 108-

806, 108th Cong., 

2

nd Sess. at 21

(2004)

Improperly disclosed the 

contents of an 

intercepted cell-phone 

conversation to the news 

media (Jan. 1997)

Member complaint filed (Nov. 

16, 2004); Investigative 

Subcommittee established 

(Dec. 22, 2004)

Resolution of this 

matter is pending

NOTE: This chart does not contain matters not publicly disclosed by the Committee, including informal fact-finding. It contains all 

investigative matters publicly acknowledged by the Committee in which the Committee or the House has taken action. 

 
For Cases since 2004, please refer to the Summary of Activities from 108th Congress through 111th Congress.

CODE OF ETHICS FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Resolved by the House of Representatives {the Senate concurring}, That it is the sense of the Congress that the 

following Code of Ethics should be adhered to by all Government employees, including officeholders: 

CODE OF ETHICS FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Any person in Government service should:

1. Put loyalty to the highest moral principals and to country above loyalty to Government persons, party, or department. 

2. Uphold the Constitution, laws, and legal regulations of the United States and of all governments therein and never be a party to their evasion. 

3. Give a full day's labor for a full day's pay; giving to the performance of his duties his earnest effort and best thought. 

4. Seek to find and employ more efficient and economical ways of getting tasks accomplished.

5. Never discriminate unfairly by the dispensing of special favors or privileges to anyone, whether for remuneration or not; and never accept for 

himself or his family, favors or benefits under circumstances which might be construed by reasonable persons as influencing the performance of his 

governmental duties. 

6. Make no private promises of any kind binding upon the duties of office, since a Government employee has no private word which can be binding 

on public duty. 

7. Engage in no business with the Government, either directly or indirectly which is inconsistent with the conscientious performance of his 

governmental duties. 

8. Never use any information coming to him confidentially in the performance of governmental duties as a means for making private profit. 

9. Expose corruption wherever discovered. 
10. Uphold these principles, ever conscious that public office is a public trust. 

(Passed July 11, 1958.) 

House Rule XXIII 

Code of Official Conduct 

There is hereby established by and for the House the following code of conduct, to be known as the ``Code of Official Conduct'':

1. A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House shall conduct himself at all times in a manner that shall reflect 

creditably on the House. (Originally adopted Apr. 3, 1968 as House Rule 43, clause 1)

2. A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House shall adhere to the spirit and the letter of the Rules of the House 

and to the rules of duly constituted committees thereof. (Originally adopted Apr. 3, 1968 as House Rule 43, clause 2)

3. A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not receive compensation and may not permit compensation 

to accrue to his beneficial interest from any source, the receipt of which would occur by virtue of influence improperly exerted from his position in 

Congress. (Originally adopted Apr. 3, 1968 as House Rule 43, clause 3)

4. A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not accept gifts except as provided by clause 5 of rule XXV. 

(Originally adopted Apr. 3, 1968 as House Rule 43, clause 4)

5. A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not accept an honorarium for a speech, a writing for 

publication, or other similar activity, except as otherwise provided under rule XXV. (Originally adopted Apr. 3, 1968 as House Rule 43, clause 5)

6. A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner_

(a) shall keep his campaign funds separate from his personal funds;
(b) may not convert campaign funds to personal use in excess of an amount representing reimbursement for legitimate and verifiable campaign 

expenditures; and

(c) may not expend funds from his campaign account that are not attributable to bona fide campaign or political purposes.

(Originally adopted Apr. 3, 1968 as House Rule 43, clause 6) 

7. A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner shall treat as campaign contributions all proceeds from testimonial dinners or other fund-raising 

events. (Originally adopted Apr. 3, 1968 as House Rule 43, clause 7)

8. (a) A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or officer of the House may not retain an employee who does not perform duties for the offices 

of the employing authority commensurate with the compensation he receives.

(b) In the case of a committee employee who works under the direct supervision of a member of the committee other than a chairman, the chairman 

may require that such member affirm in writing that the employee has complied with clause 8(a) (subject to clause 9 of rule X) as evidence of 

compliance by the chairman with this clause and with clause 9 of rule X.

(c)(1) Except as specified in subparagraph (2)_

(A) a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not retain his spouse in a paid position; and

(B) an employee of the House may not accept compensation for work for a committee on which his spouse serves as a member.

(2) Subparagraph (1) shall not apply in the case of a spouse whose pertinent employment predates the One Hundred Seventh Congress.

(Originally adopted Apr. 3, 1968 as House Rule 43, clause 8) 

9. A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not discharge and may not refuse to hire an individual, or 

otherwise discriminate against an individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of the race, color, 

religion, sex (including marital or parental status), disability, age, or national origin of such individual, but may take into consideration the domicile 

or political affiliation of such individual. (Added to the Code of Conduct on Jan. 14, 1975)

10. A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who has been convicted by a court of record for the commission of a crime for which a sentence 

of two or more years' imprisonment may be imposed should refrain from participation in the business of each committee of which he is a member, 

and a Member should refrain from voting on any question at a meeting of the House or of the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the 
Union, unless or until judicial or executive proceedings result in reinstatement of the presumption of his innocence or until he is reelected to the 

House after the date of such conviction. (Added to the Code of Conduct on Apr. 16, 1975)

11. A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not authorize or otherwise allow an individual, group, or organization not under the 

direction and control of the House to use the words ``Congress of the United States,'' ``House of Representatives,'' or ``Official Business,'' or any 

combination of words thereof, on any letterhead or envelope. (Added to the Code of Conduct on Jan. 11, 1979)

12. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), an employee of the House who is required to file a report under rule XXVI may not participate personally 

and substantially as an employee of the House in a contact with an agency of the executive or judicial branches of Government with respect to 

nonlegislative matters affecting any nongovernmental person in which the employee has a significant financial interest.

(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply if an employee first advises his employing authority of a significant financial interest described in paragraph (a) and 

obtains from his employing authority a written waiver stating that the participation of the employee in the activity described in paragraph (a) is 

necessary. A copy of each such waiver shall be filed with the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

(Added to the Code of Conduct by the Ethics Reform Act of 1989, P.L. 101-194)

13. Before a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may have access to classified information, the following 

oath (or affirmation) shall be executed:

``I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not disclose any classified information received in the course of my service with the House of 

Representatives, except as authorized by the House of Representatives or in accordance with its Rules.''

Copies of the executed oath (or affirmation) shall be retained by the Clerk as part of the records of the House. The Clerk shall make signatures a 

matter of public record, causing the names of each Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who has signed the oath during a week (if any) to 

be published in a portion of the Congressional Record designated for that purpose on the last legislative day of the week and making cumulative lists 

of such names available each day for public inspection in an appropriate office of the House.

(Added to the Code of Conduct on Jan. 4, 1995)

14. (a) In this Code of Official Conduct, the term ``officer or employee of the House'' means an individual whose compensation is disbursed by the 

Chief Administrative Officer.

(b) An individual whose services are compensated by the House pursuant to a consultant contract shall be considered an employee of the House for 

purposes of clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 13 of this rule. An individual whose services are compensated by the House pursuant to a consultant contract 
may not lobby the contracting committee or the members or staff of the contracting committee on any matter. Such an individual may lobby other 

Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner or staff of the House on matters outside the jurisdiction of the contracting committee.

(Added to the Code of Conduct in current form on Jan. 6, 1999)