Part 6/8:
The hearings have not just been about credentials and policies; inter-personal accountability surfaced when discussions tackled issues of personal conduct. One particular exchange highlighted the disparity between the expectations placed on government officials and the moral standards applied to politicians themselves. This exchange prompted Senator Mark Wayne Mullen to confront how personal histories of Congress members—especially regarding substance use and lapses in judgment—often escape scrutiny. The calls for accountability took a pointedly humorous turn, showing both the absurdity and seriousness of public office ethics.