HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE DOES SOMETHING!

Actually, it’s nothing at all:

The House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct voted today to form an investigative subcommittee to probe whether indicted Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) has violated the chamber’s Code of Official Conduct….

Based on recent precedent, it is likely the panel will defer most further proceedings out of deference to the Justice Department’s prosecution of Renzi, who is scheduled to be arraigned in Tuscon March 6th.

Just another sign that with the House ethics committee playing possum, the FBI has been forced to take up the slack.

Meanwhile, prospects for reform aren’t looking too bright.

Update: CREW’s Melanie Sloan has a bright idea: “The trick would be for the Ethics Committee to spearhead an investigation of a member alleged to have engaged in misconduct before the Justice Department gets involved.”