Next Move on Massa Investigation Hard to Gauge

Despite the encouragement of House lawmakers, it remains to be seen whether the chamber’s ethics committee will move to set up an investigative subcommittee tied to sexual harassment allegations involving ex-Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) – even as the committee appeared to be pressing ahead with its probe last week.

The House voted to refer a Republican-sponsored resolution for an inquiry into the allegations against Massa and the House reactions to the ethics committee, formally known as the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, on March 11.

But the committee is under no obligation to respond to the resolution and has not indicated whether it will open an investigative subcommittee, even as at least one Congressional office reported contact from the committee last week.

Read more: (Jennifer Yachnin, “Ethics Panel’s Next Move on Massa Hard to Gauge,” Roll Call, 03/22/10)