House Votes To Investigate Jefferson, But Tubbs-Jones Said It Has Already Begun

The House voted tonight to begin an ethics probe of indicted Rep. William Jefferson, but the committee's chairwoman said it has already begun.

Actually, the House voted twice to do the same thing - once on a resolution by Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) ordering the ethics panel to look into the charges against Jefferson and report back to the body within 30 days on whether to expel him, and secondly on a resolution by Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) ordering the ethics committee to begin an investigation within 30 days into any member "indicted or formally charged with criminal conduct" in a federal, state, or local court. Jefferson would be covered under the measure.