Earlier today, CREW asked the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate Senator Larry Craig (R-ID). Last month, we also asked the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate Senator David Vitter [0] following revelations that he had engaged the services of a prostitute. The GOP leadership in the Senate joined our call for an ethics investigation of Craig, yet have been silent on Vitter. Melanie Sloan issued this statement [0] today suggesting the possible reason:

While I am pleased that Senate Republicans are joining CREW’s call for an investigation into Senator Craig’s conduct, their failure to ask for an ethics investigation of the similarly outrageous conduct by Sen. David Vitter is puzzling. While Sen. Craig pleaded guilty to a crime involving soliciting sex, but is now denying his guilt, Sen. Vitter has not been charged but has admitted to the crime of soliciting for prostitution. Thus, both men have admitted to committing misdemeanor crimes that reflect poorly upon the Senate and both should be treated equally. The only possible interpretation of the Republicans’ differing reaction to the two cases is that Sen. Craig’s case involves gay sex. Apparently soliciting for heterosexual sex does not offend the “family values” platform in the way that soliciting for gay sex does. (emphasis added)