Bet me this “investigation” won’t be completed before the election. A branch of the government investigating itself. Yah…..those always work.

By LARRY MARGASAK and DAVID ESPO

WASHINGTON Oct 5, 2006 (AP)- The House ethics committee on Thursday launched an investigation of a congressional page sex scandal that has imperiled Republican election prospects, approving dozens of subpoenas for documents and testimony.

The committee’s chairman, Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., said a newly formed subcommittee’s investigation “will go wherever our evidence leads us.”

Asked if embattled House speaker Dennis Hastert was among those subpoenaed, Hastings would not comment.

“We are looking at weeks, not months,” said the committee’s senior Democrat, Rep. Howard Berman of California.

A House GOP official said that Hastert, fighting to save his job, will take responsibility for the unfolding scandal involving former Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., but will insist that he will stay on as leader of House Republicans at a news conference scheduled later in Batavia, Ill.

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