Pelosi names ethics committee chair

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tapped Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California to serve as the chairwoman of the House ethics committee.

Lofgren has already served more the required three terms on the ethics panel, officially called the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, The Hill reported Wednesday.

The newspaper said second stints on the ethics panel are rare since many lawmakers avoid the role of policing their colleagues.

"Congresswoman Lofgren has demonstrated tremendous leadership in her 15 years of service to the House of Representatives, including her eight years on the House ethics committee," Pelosi said. "With this appointment, she will hold members of Congress to the highest ethical standard."

The Hill said Pelosi has been under pressure to name a new committee chair or risk delaying an investigation into Rep. Charles Rangel, the New York Democrat facing a bevy of ethics allegations.

Lofgren, who chairs the 34-member California congressional delegation, said she was honored Pelosi selected her.

"Having served for eight years as a member of the committee earlier in my congressional tenure, I've seen firsthand the immensely important role it plays," she said in a statement.