breaking news we just got about the independent ethics office in congress. where did that come from and why is this an important change? so the office of congressional ethics was establisheback in 2008, essentlly in the wake of the abramoff scandal, the mark foley scandal, there was a public outcry and they realized they had to set up an independent watchdog to field complaints about campaign improprieties, personal behavior, other things. it s existed for the last eight years, barely has a set of teeth, and has presented information over the last few years that has led to the removal or resignation of some lawmakers. there s a belief that they could have done a lot more. what republicans have done, let s be specific about this, had a closed door meeting, after the sun went down, yes, those things actually do happen, and cided amongst themselves that when the new house convenes tomorrow afternoon, they re going to present a rules package that has to be voted on by