United States Senate Select Committee on Ethics

The U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics is a select committee of the United States Senate charged with dealing with matters related to senatorial ethics. It is also commonly referred to as the Senate Ethics Committee. Senate rules require the Ethics Committee to be evenly divided between the Democrats and the Republicans, no matter who controls the Senate. However, the chairman always comes from the majority party. The leading committee member of the minority party is referred to as the Vice Chairman rather than the more common Ranking Member.

Select committee
Active

United States Senate
118th Congress
History
FormedFebruary 2, 1977
SucceededSelect Committee on Standards and Conduct
Leadership
ChairChris Coons (D)
Since February 3, 2021 (2021-02-03)
Vice chairJames Lankford (R)
Since February 3, 2021 (2021-02-03)
Structure
Seats6 members
Political partiesMajority (3)
  •   Democratic (3)
Minority (3)
Jurisdiction
Policy areasEthics
House counterpartUnited States House Committee on Ethics
Meeting place
220 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C.
Website
ethics.senate.gov
Rules

History

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The Senate Select Committee on Standards and Conduct was first convened in the 89th Congress (1965–66) and later replaced by the Senate Select Committee on Ethics in the 95th Congress (1977–78).

Membership

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Pursuant to Senate Rule 25, the committee is limited to six members, and is equally divided between Democrats and Republicans. This effectively means that either party can veto any action taken by the committee.[1]

Current membership

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Majority[2] Minority[3]

Chairs

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List of chairs of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics

Chair Party State Term
John C. Stennis D Mississippi 1965–1975
Howard Cannon D Nevada 1975–1977
Adlai Stevenson III D Illinois 1977–1980
Howell Heflin D Alabama 1980–1981
Malcolm Wallop R Wyoming 1981–1983
Ted Stevens R Alaska 1983–1985
Warren Rudman R New Hampshire 1985–1987
Howell Heflin D Alabama 1987–1992
Terry Sanford D North Carolina 1992–1993
Richard Bryan D Nevada 1993–1995
Mitch McConnell R Kentucky 1995–1997
Bob Smith R New Hampshire 1997–1999
Pat Roberts R Kansas 1999–2001 (ended January 3)
Vacant 2001 (January 3–20)
Pat Roberts R Kansas 2001 (January 20 – June 6)
Harry Reid D Nevada 2001–2003 (started June 6, 2001)
George Voinovich R Ohio 2003–2007
Barbara Boxer D California 2007–2015
Johnny Isakson R Georgia 2015–2019
James Lankford R Oklahoma 2019–2021
Chris Coons D Delaware 2021–present

Historical committee rosters

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110th Congress

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Majority Minority

111th Congress

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Majority Minority

112th Congress

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Majority Minority

Source: 2011 Congressional Record, Vol. 157, Page S557

113th Congress

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Majority Minority

Source: 2011 Congressional Record, Vol. 157, Page S557

114th Congress

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Majority Minority

Source: 2013 Congressional Record, Vol. 159, Page S296

115th Congress

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Members of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, 115th Congress[4]

Majority Minority

116th Congress

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Majority Minority

117th Congress

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Majority Minority

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "U.S. Senate: Select Committee on Ethics". www.senate.gov. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  2. ^ S.Res. 30 (118th Congress)
  3. ^ S.Res. 31 (118th Congress)
  4. ^ Straus, Jacob R. (January 31, 2017). "Appendices A and B". Senate Select Committee on Ethics: A Brief History of Its Evolution and Jurisdiction (PDF) (Report). Congressional Research Service. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
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