washington republicans u.s. house representatives agree monday weaken nonpartisan ethics watchdog ground grow intrusive prompt democrats charge scale back independent oversight ahead new legislative session return washington follow holiday break house republicans vote closed-door meet place office congressional ethics oversight house ethics committee give lawmakers great control independent body charge investigate behavior measure add broad rule package expect pass house formally convene tuesday ethics office create 2008 follow several corruption scandals lawmakers charge recent years quick investigate complaints lodge outside partisan group body deliver report lawmakers rather release directly public accord summary release republican representative bob goodlatte rename office congressional complaint review oce serious important role house amendment nothing impede work say goodlatte sponsor measure house democratic leader nancy pelosi create ethics office house speaker follow complaints lawmakers unable effectively police say republicans eliminate independent body charge monitor action evidently ethics first casualty new republican congress pelosi say statement move come republicans control chamber congress poise repeal major portion president barack obama health environmental regulations enact conservative agenda republican president-elect donald trump take office jan. 20. u.s. house republicans weaken ethics body return congress