Office of Congressional Ethics

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) is an independent organization that reviews allegations of misconduct involving members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Its role is to ensure accountability by investigating potential violations of ethical rules and standards. The OCE conducts initial examinations and recommends whether formal investigations should proceed, helping maintain integrity and public trust in Congress. It operates separately from Congress’s main ethics committee, providing an objective oversight role. Although it cannot punish members directly, its findings can lead to further investigations and disciplinary actions.