The U.S. House Ethics Committee's scope of investigation includes failure to properly disclose required information, violations of campaign finance laws, solicitation or receipt of improper gifts, receiving special favors, and allegations of sexual misconduct.
November 19, 2025
high
procedural
Common categories of alleged misconduct that congressional ethics investigations address.
The U.S. House Ethics Committee can establish investigative subcommittees to examine allegations against members of Congress.
November 19, 2025
high
structural
Committee organizational capability used to conduct focused inquiries.
U.S. House Ethics Committee investigations can take months or even years to complete.
November 19, 2025
high
temporal
Duration of ethics investigations into alleged misconduct by lawmakers.
U.S. House Ethics Committee investigations can involve subpoenaing thousands of documents and interviewing hundreds of witnesses.
November 19, 2025
high
procedural
Scale of evidence collection and witness interviews in major congressional ethics probes.
The U.S. House Ethics Committee investigates allegations such as violations of campaign finance laws, misuse of congressional resources, sexual misconduct or dating violence, failures to disclose required information on statements filed with the House, and improper solicitation or receipt of gifts connected to privately sponsored official travel.
November 19, 2025
high
institutional
General scope of matters that the House Ethics Committee may examine in investigations.
The U.S. House Ethics Committee has stated that the mere formation of an investigative subcommittee does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred.
November 19, 2025
high
procedural
Formal procedural position about the implications of forming an investigative subcommittee.