Congressional ethics scandals are no longer shocking people because they have become nauseatingly routine. Every few weeks seems to bring another allegation involving abuse of office, campaign finance violations, sexual misconduct, personal enrichment, or some other ethics scandal.

Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that Congress handles these scandals the same way nearly every time, and they end with little punishment. Investigations drag on until political pressure fades or until members leave office, at which point the investigation stops. Other times, Congress waits until after the member’s reelection to move forward with the case, then issues a watered-down punishment years later — assuming the case is even pursued at all.