For all the public wrangling we are seeing over the super committee — mostly centered on tax reform and revenues as a key component of a compromise — the big issue facing policymakers in the coming years is health care costs.

John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi should step in before this Waters embarrassment gets worse and hits a House that is already at a nadir in terms of public approval.

What an ironythat jamming through ethics changes on a wholly partisan basishas put even more public focus on Rep. Tom DeLay and denied him a forum to deflect the charges.

The Foley scandal is a pivotal event--very likely the tipping point in the elections, and another stiff test for the House to demonstrate some trace elements of institutional integrity.

House SpeakerDennis Hastert has become the Vladimir Putin of American politics, dismantling the regular order and debasing the integrity of the institution.

At last, prominent Members of Congress are stepping forward to slam Rep. James Traficant (D-Ohio), who was recently convicted on 10 counts of bribery and racketeering.

Members of Congress are again opposing meaningful ethics reform.

One speech, even a State of the Union, does not tell us whether words will be translated into deeds or whether intentions will translate into actions.