Substantive and Procedural Dilemmas in Congressional Ethics

A series of highly publicized cases of ethical violations in Congress has produced a concerted reexamination of Congress's ethics processes. This article reviews the key arguments promoted by advocates for reforming Congress and examines the substantive and procedural dilemmas confronting members of Congress as they attempt to respond to calls for reform. These dilemmas are illustrated by examining a number of recent ethical cases in Congress. We conclude that the standards that Congress employs and the procedures its members use to enforce them are strongly influenced by the unique constitutional and political context of the institution. As legislators proceed in their efforts to institute new ethical standards, they will continually attempt to strike a balance between legitimate yet contradictory ethical, political, legislative, and procedural demands.