Who says that Congress can’t police itself?  The same body that couldn’t find any reason to toss out Chris Dodd for accepting sweetheart deals from Countrywide Mortgage while policing the industry also couldn’t find any reason to do anything but scold Roland Burris for lying about the circumstances of his interim appointment to the Senate.  The Ethics Committee passed on recommending punishment for Burris’ lies about his interactions with Rod Blagojevich in the wake of the latter’s indictment for corruption:

The U.S. Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished a Democratic senator for making “inconsistent, misleading or incomplete” statements about the circumstances surrounding his appointment to the seat once held by Barack Obama. The committee did not recommend any punishment.

Sen. Roland Burris was appointed by disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached and driven from office after he was accused of trying to sell the Senate seat. …

The committee wrote Burris that his phone conversation with the former governor’s brother was inappropriate. It says Robert Blagojevich called Burris on Nov. 13, 2008, seeking to raise funds for his brother, and Burris appeared to agree.

An admonishment! Well, that certainly stings, doesn’t it?

The Ethics Committee says it could find no evidence of lawbreaking in Burris’ actions.  If not, they must have had their eyes closed.  Let’s review the record, shall we?

• Burris lied to the Illinois legislature about speaking to Blago’s brother Robert, and then lied about why he lied
• Burris lied about agreeing to raise funds for Blagojevich while discussing appointment
• Burris covered up a solicitation for $10,000 from Blago’s brother
• Burris covered up his promise to cut a check for $1500 to Blago

Well, other than that, Burris’ ethics are perfectly acceptable to his colleagues on the Ethics Committee.  That speaks volumes … about the Senate and its leadership.