The meetings are informal and focused on fact finding. We have heard from a number of experts, some who want an outside entity and others who want to improve the ethics process we have. Chairman Capuano (D-Mass.) has done an excellent job of gathering information and hearing from all sides.
Editor’s Note: Rep. Lamar Smith was one of eight members appointed to a new congressional ethics task force, initiated by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio) on Jan. 31.