Following a string of high-profile investigations targeting Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, congressional ethics investigations are more visible than ever. Indeed, as we recently explored, the House Ethics Committee in particular may be moving toward a more active and transparent enforcement posture, with its most recent actions potentially signaling a period of heightened scrutiny of interactions between private parties and Members of Congress and their staff.
In this alert, we provide a comprehensive overview of congressional ethics inquiries, examine recent procedural changes and challenges, and highlight the potential implications for private actors interacting with Congress.