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 chair always comes from the majority party. The leading committee member of the minority party is referred to as the Vice Chair rather than the more common Ranking Member.
Contents
History
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
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.
Chairs
List of chairs of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics
Historical committee rosters
112th Congress
Source: 2011 Congressional Record, Vol. 157, Page S557
113th Congress
Source: 2011 Congressional Record, Vol. 157, Page S557
114th Congress
Source: 2013 Congressional Record, Vol. 159, Page S296
115th Congress
Members of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, 115th Congress