Scandals and Ethics Reform in the U.S. House of Representatives. (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Basinger, Scott J.
• Is Part Of: Public integrity. Volume 18:Number 4(2016)
• Page Start: 359
• Page End: 375
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: Congress -- ethics -- political scandals; Civil service ethics -- United States -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Moral and ethical aspects -- United States -- Periodicals; Political ethics -- United States -- Periodicals; Civil service ethics -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Periodicals; Political ethics -- Periodicals; Civil service ethics; Political ethics; Public administration -- Moral and ethical aspects; United States; PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION; CIVIL SERVICE; MORAL ASPECTS; POLITICAL ETHICS; Periodicals; 172
• DOI: 10.1080/10999922.2016.1172932
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1099-9922

Abstract

Abstract : This article uses new data to assess the impact of the Office of Congressional Ethics, established in 2009, to investigate ethical misconduct by members of the U.S. House of Representatives. A comparison of the 6 years immediately before reform (2003–2008) and the 6 years immediately after reform (2009–2014) reveals that the number of scandals actually increased by 60% after reform. Although the number of members investigated for malfeasance increased by 220%, the number of members sanctioned remained constant. However well-intentioned the reforms, they failed to stem the tide of scandal because they did not modify members' incentives. Ironically, the reforms may have contributed to public dissatisfaction with Congress by publicizing investigations of members of Congress.