Al Franken to be investigated by toothless Senate panel

The Senate Ethics Committee that will examine the actions of Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Al Franken, D-Minn. — and possibly Roy Moore if the Republican wins his Senate race in Alabama next month — has rarely taken significant action to punish lawmakers, and has only moved to oust people if they are convicted of a serious crime or are a member of the Confederacy.

That history shows it’s nearly impossible to get kicked out of the Senate, and that the panel isn’t likely to punish Menendez, Franken, or Moore, according to some watchdog organizations.