House Ethics Committee considering probe into Rep. McMorris Rodgers

FILE - In this April 16, 2013 file photo, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash. speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. McMorris Rodgers, the highest ranking GOP woman in Congress, will give the party's response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) (A2013)

WASHINGTON – The House Ethics Committee is considering an investigation of the No. 4 ranking member of the House Republican leadership, congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state.

Just last week McMorris Rodgers delivered the Republican response to the State of the Union address.

McMorris Rodgers serves as chair of the House GOP Conference and is the House GOP's highest-ranking woman. Her lawyer, Elliot Berke, says McMorris Rodgers is aware of the potential investigation and has cooperated with the Office of Congressional Ethics.

The OCE is an outside organization that can refer cases to the House Ethics Committee. The subject of the potential investigation isn't being disclosed.

The Ethics Committee chairman, Michael Conaway, and its ranking Democrat, Linda Sanchez, say they have received a referral from the OCE about McMorris Rodgers.