The Republican House leadership was maneuvering to prevent members of Congress from having to go on the record about much-needed reforms the public supports.

Everyone agrees that it is good for members of Congress to get out in the world.

One of the first members of Congress I met when I was first elected in 2008 was Barney Frank.

Congress has proven beyond any doubt that it is not up to the task of policing the conduct of its own members. That's why we need strong, independent enforcement of the ethics rules by an outside commission.

When you're elected to Congress, you take a vow to uphold the Constitution and its system of checks and balances. That vow doesn't say, 'Unless it's politically uncomfortable.'

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has been one of my good friends in the House of Representatives. When she was brutally shot, Gabby was out doing what she loved to do - meeting with her constituents in a local setting, allowing people to speak to her directly about the issues that concerned them.