Number: RL33790
Title: "Independent" Legislative Commission or Office for Ethics and/or Lobbying
Authors: Jack Maskell, American Law Division; R. Eric Petersen, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: There have been numerous recent proposals and discussions of constituting, by legislation or congressional rule, an "independent" body or "commission" in the legislative branch of the federal government. These types of commissions would be, for the most part, made up of persons who are not currently Members of either House of Congress, and could be tasked with overseeing, and perhaps "enforcing," either lobbying regulations, disclosures, and reporting by outside, private individuals and groups (required under federal law by the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, as amended), or alternatively, or in addition, assigned to oversee or enforce in some manner congressional "ethics" rules, that is, reviewing the propriety of conduct of Members of Congress and congressional employees under current House and/or Senate Rules (as well as applicable federal law). The latter duty would necessarily involve receiving and investigating complaints or allegations of misconduct by Members and employees of the House or Senate, and recommending actions or referring for action apparent violations of law or Rule. Several policy issues are raised concerning the efficacy and desirability of the establishment and functioning of such a commission, as well as certain threshold constitutional questions.
Pages: 18
Date: April 14, 2008