CA: Sen Dianne Feinstein dies

Sen. Dianne Feinstein has died. She was 90.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom will appoint a replacement for Feinstein. He said he will appoint someone who does not intend to run in 2024 - when Feinstein would have been up for re-election.

For more, read the NPR article.

Update 2023-Oct-2: (Newsom has appointed Laphonza Butler to replace Feinstein. For more, read the Washington Post article).

IN: Rep. Jackie Walorski killed in car crash

Rep Jackie Walorski has been killed in a car crash.

The crash also killed two members of her staff and the driver of the other car.

It is yet to be determined how (or whether) Walorski's seat will be filled. The law requires a special election to be held, but the general election will be Nov. 8 - which is in 3 months.

For more, read the Fox News article.

Social media sites restrict Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene

Two of the largest social media platforms have suspended the accounts of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for spreading lies that could endanger Americans.

Twitter permanently bans Greene

On Jan. 2, Twitter permanently banned Greene's personal account for repeatedly violating its COVID-19 misleading information policy.

Twitter previously had suspended Greene's account for spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Twitter said that Greene's official government Twitter account remains active.

Facebook suspends Greene for a day

The following day, Facebook suspended Greene's account for 24 hours - also for posting false information "that can cause phyisical harm."

Greene's posts had suggested "extremely high amounts of Covid vaccine deaths." She based her claim on data from the government's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) database.

VAERS, however, does not investigate any reports it receives. It merely documents them for other investigators. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that a report to VAERS does not mean that a vaccine caused an adverse event.

For more on Greene's ban from Twitter, read the NPR article.

For more on Greene's suspension from Facebook, read the Washington Post article.

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry resigns after conviction for lying to FBI

Update 2022-Mar-28: Fortenberry said he would resign from Congress, effective March 31.

Update 2022-Mar-24: Fortenberry was convicted of two counts - each of which could result in a 5-year sentence.

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry has been indicted for lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about an illegal donation made to his Congressional campaign.

Under federal law...

According to the indictment, foreign billionaire Gilbert Chagoury arranged for $30,000 to be contributed to Fortenberry's campaign fund via several small contributions from Americans.

One of those surrogates, referred to in the indictment as Individual H, later coooperated with the FBI and informed Fortenberry several times about the scheme.

Fortenberry did not file an amended contribution report. He later told the FBI that he was not aware of the illegal contributions. He eventually disgorged the contributions after speaking to investigators.

Fortenberry will remove himself from his committee assignments.

Fortenberry not only Chagoury recipient

Similar contributions from Chagoury match previous contributions to Sen. Mitt Romney, Rep. Darrell Issa, and former Rep. Lee Terry, according to Politico. Chagoury also donated to the Clinton Foundation and provided a $50,000 loan to former Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.

For more, read the Politico article.

Click here to read the indictment.

YouTube suspends Rand Paul for mask lies

Sen. Rand Paul has been suspended from YouTube after he published a video questioning the value of facemasks in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

The video-sharing site prohibits misinformation related to CoViD-19 - including claims that mask are ineffective in preventing transmission of the disease.

"Trying to shape human behavior isn't the same as following the actual science, which tells us that cloth masks don't work," Paul says in his video.

For more, read the Politico article.

For more on the effectiveness of facemasks against CoViD-19, read this Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) article.

Twitter suspends Marjorie Taylor Green for vaccine lies

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has been suspended from Twitter for spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Greene posted on the social media site:

"The FDA should not approve the covid vaccines. There are too many reports of infection & spread of #COVID19 among vaccinated people. These vaccines are failing & do not reduce the spread of the virus & neither do masks. Vaccine mandates & passports violate individual freedoms."

The vaccines are extremely effective in preventing serious effects of COVID-19. As of July 2021, virtually all hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are for unvaccinated people.

For more, read the Business Insider article.

FL: Rep. Alcee Hastings dies

Rep. Alcee Hastings has died. He had represented Florida's 20th Congressional District since 1993.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will announce the date of a special election to fill Hastings' seat.

For more, read the Washington Post article.

Georgia cancels election for judge

Georgia has canceled its scheduled election to fill a seat on its Supreme Court. Instead. Gov. Brian Kemp will appoint a judge for two years.

The term for Justice Keith Blackwell ends on Dec. 31. However, Blackwell announced he would resign on Nov. 18 - allowing Kemp to name a temporary replacement. An election for a permanent replacement was scheduled for May 19.

The election then was cancelled by Kemp and Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

Kemp, Raffensperger, and Blackwell all are Republican.

Georgia Constitution specifies conflicting solutions

Both of the candidates running to replace Blackwell - Democrat John Barrow and Republican Beth Beskin - sued the state to force an election.

The state's Supreme Court ruled that a provision in the state's Constitution allowed Kemp's and Raffensperger's action.

The provision is vague regarding the timing of a special election for judges, and could be interpreted as allowing the election to take place in 2022, with the replacement judge serving until the end of that year, the court ruled.

Court decision could allow judges to serve for life

The decision could allow judges to remain in office indefinitely without ever having to face an election, as long as the governor is of the same political party.

For example, Blackwell's replacement could resign before the end of his 2-year term. With strategic timing, the governor then could appoint that judge - as his own replacement - for an additional two years.

For more, read the Vox story.

CA: Republican wins election despite Trump complaint

Republican Mike Garcia has won a special election to replace the House of Representatives seat left vacant by former Rep. Katie Hill.

President Donald Trump had accused Democrats of trying to steal the election when a polling location was added in Lancaster - a diverse city in the district. In fact, the location was requested by Lancaster's mayor - a Republican.

CA: Rep. Duncan Hunter resigns after guilty plea

Rep. Duncan Hunter is resigning from Congress

In 2018 Hunter was indicted for using campaign funds for his personal use. In Dec. 2019, he pleaded guilty and said he would resign from Congress.

After his plea, the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) released its full report on Hunter - showing he illegally misused more money than previously reported.

For more, read the San Diego Union Tribune story.

Click here to read the Office of Congressional Ethics report.

CA: Rep. Katie Hill will resign from Congress

Rep. Katie Hill has announced she will resign from Congress.

Hill was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegations of an improper sexual relationship with a member of her congressional staff. She has denied the claim, but admitted to an "inappropriate" relationship with a member of her campaign staff.

She has yet to announce the date she will leave office.

For more, read the Politico story.

Rep. Elijah Cummings dies

Rep. Elijah Cummings has died.

He had been the chair of the House Oversight Committee, one of the committees involved in the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump.

A special election is expected to replace Cummings.

For more, read the Vox story.

FL: Rep. Ron DeSantis resigns from Congress

Rep. Ron DeSantis has resigned from the House of Representatives.

He currently is the Republican candidate for governor of Florida.

It is not yet known if Florida Gov. Rick Scott will appoint a replacement to serve in DeSantis' seat before the Nov. 6 Congressional elections.

For more, read The Hill story.

AZ: Sen. John McCain has died

Sen. John McCain has died.

McCain had been fighting brain cancer, which caused him to be away from the Senate since the end of last year.

Arizona's governor, Doug Ducey, will appoint a replacement for McCain. The replacement - who according to Arizona law must be someone of the same party as McCain - will serve through 2020. A special election will be held in 2020 for someone to serve the remainder of McCain's Senate term - which runs until 2023.

Update 2018-Sep-4: Former Sen. Jon Kyl has been chosen to fill McCain's seat through 2020.

For an in-depth look at McCain's life both in and out of government, read the New York Times story.

CA: Rep. Duncan Hunter indicted

Rep. Duncan Hunter has been indicted on charges he spent more than a quarter-million dollars in campaign funds for personal use and filed false campaign finance reports.

Hunter and his wife, Margaret Hunter, face five charges for "converting campaign funds for their own personal benefit and enjoyment" between 2009 and 2016. They are accused of spending the money on a slew of flights, hotels, drinks, meals, and personal purchases, for themselves and friends.

Among other things, the indictment accuses them of:

The indictment also accuses Hunter of requesting to tour a naval base in Italy as a way to justify paying for a family trip to Italy with campaign funds. When Navy officials declined his request for a specific date, Hunter told his Chief of Staff to "tell the Navy to go fuck themselves."

In March 2017 the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) referred Hunter to the House Ethics Committee to investigate the allegations.

For more, read the New York Times story.

Click here to read the Department of Justice announcement.

Click here to read the indictment

NY: Rep. Chris Collins indicted for insider trading

Update 2021-Jan-20: Collins was pardoned by President Donald Trump.

Update 2019-Oct-1: Collins pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and lying to federal investigators.

Rep. Chris Collins has been charged with insider trading and lying to FBI agents. Federal prosecutors claim he schemed with his son to avoid losing nearly $580,000 on an investment.

Collins was the largest shareholder in Australian biotech firm Innate Immunotherapeutics, and served on the company's board of directors. When he learned last year that the firm's drug trial had been a failure, he tipped off his son, Cameron Collins, days before the news would be made public, according to the indictment.

Cameron Collins then sold his stock and tipped off others, who sold theirs, saving themselves more than three quarters of a million dollars in total losses, according to the indictment. Cameron Collins and another investor, Stephen Zarsky, also were charged.

Collins has denied the allegations. He was precluded from trading his own Innate stock and lost millions of dollars, according to the indictment.

Collins convinced other current and former representatives to invest in the biotech firm, including Reps. Markwayne Mullin, John Culberson, Doug Lamborn, Billy Long and Tom Price.

In October, the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) found "substantial reason to believe" that Collins violated federal law and House rules by meeting with government researchers to benefit the company and sharing nonpublic information in the purchase of Innate stock.

Collins said he is suspending his re-election campaign, but will finish his current term in the House of Representatives.

For more, read the Washington Post story.

Click here to read the OCE finding on Collins.

Click here to read the indictment.

AL: McConnell will delay seating elected senator

Alabama voters elected Doug Jones to replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the U.S. Senate in a special election.

Jones, a Democrat, will reduce the Republican majority in the Senate to 51 when he takes office. However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said before the election that he will not seat the new senator until the next Senate session in January.

In the meantime, appointed Sen. Luther Strange, a Republican, will remain in the seat.

Alabama officials said the election won't be certified until Dec. 27 at the earliest, and the Senate isn't expected to stay in session past Dec. 22.

For more, read the CNN story.

AZ: Rep. Trent Franks resigns after asking aide to be surrogate

Rep. Trent Franks has resigned from Congress after it was reported he asked a staff member to conceive a child for him.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey will set dates for a primary and general election to replace Franks.

For more, read the New York Times story.

MN: Sen. Al Franken to resign amid harassment accusations

Sen. Al Franken has announced his resignation after eight women accused him of touching them inappropriately.

Franken said he will resign in the next several weeks. In a speech on the Senate floor, he denied some of the accusations, adding that his "respectful" response to them "gave some people the false impression I was admitting to doing things that in fact I haven't done."

Only one accusation against Franken stems from an alleged incident while he was in the Senate. Four of the accusers are anonymous.

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton will appoint a replacement for Franken until a special election can be held in Nov. 2018. The winner of that election will serve the remainder of Franken's term - which ends in 2021.

For a list of the accusations against Franken, read the ABC News story.

Click here to read Franken's resignation speech.

MI: Rep. John Conyers resigns amid harassment accusations

Rep. John Conyers has resigned from Congress.

Conyers has been accused of sexually harassing former employees.

In 2015, Conyers quietly settled a complaint with a woman whom he allegedly sexually harassed and fired. Though he denied the accusation, he paid the former employee $27,000.

He didn't pay her personally, however, The settlement came from his office budget - which is funded by public money.

Michigan will hold a special election to replace Conyers in Nov. 2018.

For more, read the New York Times story.

TX Rep. Farenthold resigns amid payment scandal

Update 2018-Apr-6: Farenthold has resigned from Congress

In 2015, Rep. Blake Farenthold settled a sexual harassment claim by a former staff member.

News of the $84,000 settlement surfaced just this week, when Politico reported that it was paid with public money by a federal agency.

The Office of Compliance (OOC) was created in 1995 to enforce workplace protections in Congressional offices. The OOC has paid more than $17 million in settlements since its creation.

Farenthold's, however, is the only one for sexual harassment in the past five years, according to Politico's report of testimony by Rep. Greg Harper.

Update 2017-Dec-4: Farentholdt has said he will repay the $84,000 out of his personal money.

For more, read the Politico story.

NJ: Mistrial in Sen. Menendez corruption trial

The trial of Sen. Robert Menendez has ended in a mistrial.

He was indicted for bribery in 2015.

Federal prosecutors could decide to retry Menendez, but for now he is able to remain in the Senate.

Had Menendez been convicted, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie would have been able to appoint a new senator. Christie, who is a Republican, could have appointed a Republican to replace Menendez, who is a Democrat.

For more, read the New York Times story.

PA: Rep. Tim Murphy resigns over abortion request

Rep. Tim Murphy has resigned from Congress.

His announcement came after it was revealed he recently asked a girlfriend to obtain an abortion for a child that was his. Murphy has been a vocal opponent of legalized abortion

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf will set the date for a special election to replace Murphy.

For more, read the Politico story.

Rep. Steve Scalise shot while playing baseball

Rep. Steve Scalise was among several people shot by a lone gunman at an Alexandria, Virginia baseball field.

The shooting took place as Scalise and other Congressional Republicans were practicing for an annual charity baseball game between Republicans and Democrats. The game is scheduled for June 15 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC.

The gunman was shot and killed by police officers.

Aftermath...

Rep. Steve King blamed the attack on divisions he said were created by former President Barack Obama.

"I do want to put some of this at the feet of Barack Obama... He contributed mightily to dividing us. He focused on our differences rather than our things that unify us. And this is some of the fruits of that labour."

Rep. Thomas Massie introduced the D.C. Personal Protection Reciprocity Act - which would allow someone with a gun permit in their home state to carry weapons in Washington, DC.

For more, read the Washington Post story.

For more on Congressional reactions to the shooting (as well as other controversial statements King has made), read the BBC story.

Montana's new rep may serve 2 terms - concurrently

Montana's newest representative may get to serve two house terms at the same time.

One in the House of Representatives. The other in the big house.

Voters elected Greg Gianforte to replace now Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke. But Gianforte could face jail time in an assault case.

The day before the election, Gianforte was cited for misdemeanor assault after he was accused of "body-slamming" a Guardian reporter who tried to ask him about the new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis of the American Health Care Act.

Almost 40 percent of Montana voters had cast their ballots prior to the incident.

If found guilty, Gianforte would face up to six months in county jail and a $500 fine. Even if sentenced to jail, he would not be disqualified from taking office.

Update 2017-June-12: Gianforte pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. He was sentenced to 40 hours of community service. He also will need to take a 20-hour anger management class and pay a $385 fine.

For more, read the Helena Independent Record story.

CA Rep. Devin Nunes investigated for classified disclosures

The House Ethics Committee announced it is investigating Rep. Devin Nunes.

A statement from the committee reads...

The Committee is aware of public allegations that Representative Devin Nunes may have made unauthorized disclosures of classified information, in violation of House Rules, law, regulations, or other standards of conduct.  The Committee, pursuant to Committee Rule 18(a), is investigating and gathering more information regarding these allegations.

Click here to read the announcement.

CA Rep. Duncan Hunter referred to Ethics Committee

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has referred an investigation of Rep. Duncan Hunter to the Ethics Committee.

The report states that Hunter "may have converted tens of thousands of dollars of campaign funds from his congressional campaign committee to personal use to pay for family travel, flights, utilities, health care, school uniforms and tuition, jewelry, groceries, and other goods, services, and expenses."

If true, this could be a violation of federal law and House rules.

For more, read the Politico story.

Click here to read the complaint

IN Rep. Marlin Stutzman referred to Ethics Committee

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has referred an investigation of Rep. Marlin Stutzman to the Ethics Committee.

Stutzman is said to have used campaign contributions to pay for a personal family trip.

If true, this could be a violation of federal law and House rules.

Click here to read the complaint

KY Rep. Ed Whitfield resigns over ethics investigation

Rep. Ed Whitfield will resign from Congress on Sep. 6, rather than serve the remaining 4 months of his term. He previously had announced he would finish his term and then retire.

In July, the House of Representatives Ethics Committee found that Whitfield had given his wife - a lobbyist for the Humane Society Legislative Fund - special access to his staff and had influenced legislation she advocated. Whitfield claimed he had not known his wife was a registered lobbyist.

A special election will take place on Nov. 8 to fill Whitfield's seat for what have been the remaining two months of his term. As Nov. 8 is the national election day, the same ballot also will include a separate vote for who will represent the district for the next two years.

For more on Whitfield's resignation, read The Hill story.

For more on the Ethics Committee investigation, read Politico.com story.

NC Rep. Mark Meadows referred to Ethics Committee

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has referred an investigation of Rep. Mark Meadows to the Ethics Committee.

Meadows is said to have kept his former Chief of Staff, Kenny West, on the payroll for months after West stopped working for Meadows.

If true, this could be a violation of House rules and standards of conduct.

Click here to read the complaint

HI Rep. Mark Takai dies

Rep. Mark Takai has died of cancer. He had announced in May that he would not seek reelection due to the severity of his illness.

A special election will take place on Nov. 8 to fill Takai's seat for what have been the remaining two months of his term. As Nov. 8 is the national election day, the same ballot also will include a separate vote for who will represent the district for the next two years.

For more, read the Politico.com story.

TX Rep. Roger Williams referred to Ethics Committee

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has referred an investigation of Rep. Roger Williams to the Ethics Committee.

Williams owns an auto dealership. In 2015 he proposed an amendment to a bill that would exempt auto dealerships from a restriction on renting or loaning vehicles that are subject to safety recalls (the amendment passed by voice vote).

This could be a violation of House rules and standards of conduct regarding conflicts of interest.

Click here to read the complaint

FL Rep. Alan Grayson referred to Ethics Committee

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has referred an investigation of Rep. Alan Grayson to the Ethics Committee.

Grayson may have received compensation from businesses he runs based on his position as an elected representative.

If true, this (along with other allegations) could be a violation of federal law, House rules, and standards of conduct.

Click here to read the complaint

CO Rep. Jared Polis referred to Ethics Committee

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has referred an investigation of Rep. Jared Polis to the Ethics Committee.

Polis is said to have participated in advertising for companies, which could be seen as an official endorsement from the government.

If true, this could be a violation of federal law and House rules.

Click here to read the complaint

Paul Ryan elected Speaker of the House

The House of Representatives has elected Rep. Paul Ryan to be House Speaker.

He received 236 votes from House members. Rep. Nancy Pelosi received 184 votes.

Ryan replaces Rep. John Boehner - who is resigning from Congress.

To see the vote tally, click here.
To read Ryan's acceptance speech, click here.

House Speaker John Boehner to resign from Congress

House Speaker John Boehner announced that he will resign from Congress at the end of October.

The House of Representatives will choose a new speaker immediately after Boehner leaves.

In Ohio's 8th Congressional District, a special election will be held to replace Boehner. The dates of the primary and general elections will be announced by Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

For more, read the New York Times story.

Update:
2015-Oct-8: Boehner announced he would remain in office until the House of Representatives elects a new speaker. The election was delayed when presumptive favorite Kevin McCarthy abruptly removed himself from consideration.

PA Rep. Chaka Fattah sentenced for corruption

2016-Dec-12: Fattah sentenced to 10 years in prison
Rep. Chaka Fattah has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following his June conviction on corruption charges. He was ordered to report to prison by Jan 25, 2017.

For more, read the Washington Post story.

2016-Jun-23: Fattah convicted. Resigns from Congress
Rep. Chaka Fattah has resigned from Congress after being convicted of all of the charges against him.

Though he lost his bid for reelection in Pennsylvania's April Democratic Primary, he remained in Congress until two days after his June 21 conviction. Fattah's 2nd Congressional District seat will remain vacant until the Nov 8 general election. The winner of that election will serve out the final two months of Fattah's term.

For more, read the Washington Post story.

2015-Jul-29: Fattah indicted for corruption
Rep. Chaka Fattah has been indicted for misusing hundreds of thousands of dollars of federal, charitable, and campaign funds. The charges include bribery, fraud, and falsifying records.

Among the schemes listed in the charges, Fattah allegedly...

Fattah said he plans to remain in the House of Representatives, though he gave up his role as the Democratic leader of the subcommittee on commerce, justice, science and related agencies of the House Appropriations Committee.

For details, read the U.S. Dept. of Justice press release.

For more, read the New York Times story.

CA Rep. Mike Honda referred to Ethics Committee

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has referred an investigation of Rep. Mike Honda to the Ethics Committee.

Honda and members of his congressional staff are said to have used official resources (including staff time) to benefit his campaigns.

If true, this could be a violation of federal law, House rules and standards of conduct.

Click here to read the complaint

TX Rep. Ruben Hinojosa referred to Ethics Committee

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has referred an investigation of Rep. Ruben Hinojosa to the Ethics Committee.

Hinojosa is said to have concealed funders or organizers of a trip he took to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Some of these funders may have been prohibited by House rules.

If true, this could be a violation of federal law, House rules, and standards of conduct.

Click here to read the complaint

NJ Rep. Leonard Lance referred to Ethics Committee

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has referred an investigation of Rep. Leonard Lance to the Ethics Committee.

Lance is said to have concealed funders or organizers of a trip he took to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Some of these funders may have been prohibited by House rules.

If true, this could be a violation of federal law, House rules, and standards of conduct.

Click here to read the complaint

TX Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee referred to Ethics Committee

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has referred an investigation of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to the Ethics Committee.

Jackson Lee is said to have concealed funders or organizers of a trip she took to Azerbaijan. Some of these funders may have been prohibited by House rules.

If true, this could be a violation of federal law, House rules, and standards of conduct.

Click here to read the complaint

IL Rep. Danny K. Davis referred to Ethics Committee

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has referred an investigation of Rep. Danny K. Davis to the Ethics Committee.

Davis is said to have concealed funders or organizers of a trip he took to Azerbaijan. Some of these funders may have been prohibited by House rules.

If true, this could be a violation of federal law, House rules, and standards of conduct.

Click here to read the complaint

NY Rep. Yvette Clark referred to Ethics Committee

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has referred an investigation of Rep. Yvette Clark to the Ethics Committee.

Clark is said to have concealed funders or organizers of a trip she took to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Some of these funders may have been prohibited by House rules.

If true, this could be a violation of federal law, House rules, and standards of conduct.

Click here to read the complaint

OK Rep. Jim Bridenstine referred to Ethics Committee

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has referred an investigation of Rep. Jim Bridenstine to the Ethics Committee.

Bridenstine is said to have concealed funders or organizers of a trip he took to Azerbaijan. Some of these funders may have been prohibited by House rules.

If true, this could be a violation of federal law, House rules, and standards of conduct.

Click here to read the complaint

TX Rep. Ted Poe referred to Ethics Committee

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has referred an investigation of Rep. Ted Poe to the Ethics Committee.

Poe is said to have concealed funders or organizers of a trip he took to Azerbaijan. Some of these funders may have been prohibited by House rules.

If true, this could be a violation of federal law, House rules, and standards of conduct.

Click here to read the complaint

NY Rep. Gregory Meeks referred to Ethics Committee

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has referred an investigation of Rep. Gregory Meeks to the Ethics Committee.

Meeks is said to have concealed funders or organizers of a trip he took to Azerbaijan. Some of these funders may have been prohibited by House rules.

If true, this could be a violation of federal law, House rules, and standards of conduct.

Click here to read the complaint

NM Rep. Michelle Lujan-Grisham referred to Ethics Committee

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has referred an investigation of Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham to the Ethics Committee.

Lujan-Grisham is said to have concealed funders or organizers of a trip she took to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Some of these funders may have been prohibited by House rules.

If true, this could be a violation of federal law, House rules, and standards of conduct.

Click here to read the complaint

NY: Dan Donovan wins special election to replace Michael Grimm

Dan Donovan has been elected to replace former Rep. Michael Grimm. Grimm resigned in January after pleading guilty to federal tax fraud.

For more, read the SI Live story.

NJ: Sen. Robert Menendez indicted for bribery

Sen. Robert Menendez has been indicted on eight bribery charges. He is the first senator to be charged with bribery since 1980.

Menendez is charged with accepting bribes from Salomon Melgen - a Florida eye surgeon and long-time friend. The indictment states that Melgen's company was responsible for more than half a million dollars of campaign contributions to help Democrats - and specifically Menendez - win Senate elections. Melgen also provided Menendez with expensive vacations.

According to the indictment, Menendez provided several favors to Melgen in return, including...

For more, read the New York Times story.

IL: Former Rep. Aaaron Schock indicted for campaign fund misuse

2016-Nov-10: Schock indicted
Former Rep. Aaron Schock has been indicted for fraudulent use of campaign funds.

For more, read the Politico.com story.

2015-Mar-16: Schock resigns
Rep. Aaron Schock announced he will resign from Congress at the end of March. He is being investigated for improperly using hundreds of thousands of dollars of campaign funds.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner will announce the date of a special election to replace Schock. It will take place sometime in the next four months.

Update (2015-Apr-14): A special election to replace Schock will take place on Sept. 10. There will be a primary on July 7.

For more, read the The Hill story.

MS: Rep. Alan Nunnelee dies

Rep. Alan Nunnelee has died of cancer.

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant has 60 days to announce the date for the special election to fill Nunnelee's seat.

For more, read the Politico.com story.

Update: A special election to replace Nunnelee will be held on May 12. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff between the two candidates receiving the most votes will take place on June 2.

NY: Rep. Michael Grimm to resign House seat Jan. 5

Rep. Michael Grimm announced he will resign from Congress on Jan. 5.

A special election is expected to be held in March or April to replace Grimm. Leaders of the Democratic and Republican parties will choose a candidate for their respective parties.

For more, read the Politico.com story.

Note: Grimm will not be eligible to receive a federal pension because he will not have served the required 5 years. For more about pensions for members of Congress , read the Hill.com story.

NY: Rep. Michael Grimm pleads guilty to tax fraud

Rep. Michael Grimm has pleaded guilty to felony tax fraud.

As part of the plea deal, the remainder of the charges related to the restaurant he owned will be dropped. He will be sentenced on June 8.

Grimm, who pleaded not guilty before his re-election on Nov. 4, stated he will not resign from Congress.

For more, read the Washington Post story.

VA: Rep. Eric Cantor will resign Aug. 18

Rep. Eric Cantor will resign from the House of Representatives on Aug. 18. Because Congress is on vacation, his career representing Virginia's 7th district effectively has ended.

Though Cantor lost the Virginia Republican primary in June, he still was expected to complete his term, which runs through the end of the year.

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe has two choices to deal with the vacancy in the House left by Cantor. If he does nothing, the winner of the Nov. 20 general election will take office in January. He also can make that election a special election, in which case the winner would take office right after the election.

For more, read the New York Times story.

NY: Rep. Michael Grimm indicted for tax fraud

Rep. Michael Grimm has been indicted on federal charges related to a New York restaurant he founded.

Prosecutors say that Grimm fraudulently paid less tax than he was required to by hiding more than $1 million in income from the restaurant and failing to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in employee wages. He also is accused of lying under oath in a 2013 deposition.

Grimm has resigned his position on the House Financial Services Committee.

For more, read the New York Times story.

FL: David Jolly wins mid-term election to replace Bill Young

Republican David Jolly defeated Democrat Alex Sink in a mid-term election to replace Rep. C.W. Bill Young, who died in October.

For more, read the Tampa Bay Times story.

MT: Sen. Max Baucus resigns to become ambassador to China

Sen. Max Baucus has resigned from the Senate to become ambassador to China.

See this Montana Standard timeline of Baucus' career.

FL: Rep Trey Radel resigns from Congress

Florida Rep. Trey Radel has resigned from the House of Representatives. He had just returned from a leave of absence after pleading guilty in November to buying cocaine. He was sentenced to a year of probation.

Gov. Rick Scott is expected to set a date for a special election to fill the seat Radel leaves open.

For more, read the New York Times story.

FL: Rep C.W. Bill Young dies

Florida Representtive C.W. Bill Young has died.

For more, read the story in The Hill.

LA: Rep. Rodney Alexander resigns

Louisiana Rep. Rodney Alexander has resigned from Congress. He will take a job in the administration of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindel.

For more, read the Washington Post story.

NJ: Jeff Chiesa appointed to replace Lautenberg in Senate

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has appointed state Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa temporarily to the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Frank Lautenberg.

Chiesa will serve until a new senator is elected in a special election, set for Oct. 16.

Lautenberg, a Democrat who represented New Jersey in the Senate, died Monday. A World War II veteran, Lautenberg served in the Senate from 1982 to 2001, and again since 2003.

His replacement Chiesa, a Republican, served with Christie during his time as U.S. attorney and headed Christie's transition team after he won the 2009 governor?s race. Chiesa was appointed attorney general in January 2012. (The office is an appointed position in New Jersey.)

Chiesa said he will not seek Lautenberg's seat in the October special election.

MO: Jason Smith elected to replace Jo Ann Emerson

Jason Smith has won a special election to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Jo Ann Emerson. Emerson resigned her seat in January.

For more, read the St. Louis Dispatch story.

NJ: Sen. Frank Lautenberg dies

Longtime Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey died Monday of complications from viral pneumonia. He was 89.

Lautenberg, a Democrat who advocated for tougher alcohol and tobacco laws during his five terms in the Senate, had decided to retire next year.

A World War II veteran, Lautenberg served in the Senate from 1982 to 2001, and again since 2003.

He pushed through a provision in 1984 to establish a national drinking age of 21, and later introduced laws to designate 0.08 percent as the blood-alcohol limit for drunken driving in all states.

Lautenberg also led the charge to ban smoking on all commercial airline flights and in federal buildings. In 1996, he introduced a law prohibiting those who have committed domestic violence from owning a gun.

He was a strong supporter of federal funding for Amtrak and other public transit; the Secaucus Junction Station is named after him.

Lautenberg frequently was absent in recent months because of ailing health. He appeared in a wheelchair in April to cast his final votes in favor of gun-control legislation that failed.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will appoint Lautenberg's replacement, who will serve until a special election in October.

SC: Former Gov. Mark Sanford elected to House

Former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford was elected to Congress in a special election Tuesday. The election filled the seat left open by Rep. Tim Scott in January, when Scott was chosen by Gov. Nikki Haley to fill the Senate seat left open by the resignation of Jim DeMint.

While governor in 2009, Sanford vanished for almost a week. His office stated he was hiking the Appalachian Trail, though when he returned he revealed he had been in Argentina.

Later that year, the State Ethics Commission charged him with 37 ethics violations that included using public money for personal travel. Though he denied the charges, he agreed to pay a $74,000 settlement.

For more about the Sanford's alleged use of public money for personal travel, read this 2010 New York Times story.

For more about the May 7 special election won by Sanford, read this Politico.com story.

IL: Robin Kelly elected to replace Jesse L. Jackson

Robin Kelly has won a special election to fill the seat formerly held by Jesse L. Jackson.

For more, read the Washington Post story

MA: William Cowan chosen to replace John Kerry in Senate

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick today appointed William M. Cowan to fill Sen. John Kerry's seat on an interim basis. Kerry, who has represented Massachusetts since 1985, is leaving the Senate after he was confirmed Jan. 29 as secretary of state, succeeding Hillary Clinton.

Cowan, Patrick's former chief of staff and legal counsel, will serve as senator until a special election is held June 25. The winner will serve out the remainder of Kerry’s term and face election again in November 2014. Cowan said he won't run in the special election.

MA: John Kerry leaves Senate to become Secretary of State

The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Sen. John Kerry as the next secretary of state, succeeding Hillary Clinton.

Kerry, a Vietnam war veteran and the son of a diplomat, has represented Massachusetts in the Senate since 1985. His colleagues voted 94-3 to confirm him.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will announce Jan. 30 who he will appoint as an interim senator to replace Kerry until a special election is held June 25.

MO: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson resigns

Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri resigned from the House of Representatives, becoming the fifth representative so far this year to leave Congress for a lobbying job.

Emerson, a Republican who was re-elected to a 10th term in November with 72 percent of the vote, will become president and CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, which represents more than 900 cooperative utilities serving 42 million people in 47 states. The association spent more than $5 million lobbying Congress in the past two years, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The group's political action committee also contributed $1.7 million to candidates in the most recent election cycle, including $8,000 to Emerson.

HI: Brian Schatz chosen to replace late Sen. Daniel Inouye

Hawaii Gov Neil Abercrombie appointed Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz to succeed the late Sen. Daniel Inouye.

Schatz, a leader of President Barack Obama's campaign in Hawaii in 2008, is a former state representative and a former chairman of the state Democratic Party. He will serve until an election is held in 2014. He said he will run in that election to serve the remaining two years of Inouye's term and then run for re-election in 2016.

HI: Sen. Daniel Inouye dies from respiratory complications

Sen. Daniel Inouye has died from respiratory complications.

For more, read the New York Times story.

CA: Rep. Dennis Cardoza resigns from Congress

Rep. Dennis Cardoza has resigned from the House of Representatives. He represented California's 18th District.

For more, read the Sacramento Bee report.

KY: Rep. Geoff Davis resigns from Congress

Rep. Geoff Davis has resigned from Congress. He represented Kentucky's 4th District.

For more, read the Politico.com report.

MI: Rep. Thaddeus McCotter resigns from Congress

Rep. Thaddeus McCotter has resigned from Congress. He represented Michigan's 11th District.