House Ethics Committee Drops Maxine Waters Probe

Unanimous agreement that congresswoman didn't violate any rules

The House Ethics Committee on Tuesday formally ended its investigation of U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, announcing its unanimous decision to drop the case because the veteran Los Angeles lawmaker did not break any rules.

The 10-member panel, evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, determined that the evidence "does not establish, to the standard of clear and convincing evidence, that Rep. Waters violated House rules.''  

There was no immediate response from Waters' office. But the conclusion clears the way for her to become the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee in the next Congress.