Concerns over ethics in Congress played a big part in the Democratic recapture of the House of Representatives and Pelosi ascension to the Speakership after several members of Congress were investigated, indicted or convicted for legal wrongdoing over the past year. In early 2007, Speaker Pelosi established a Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement to explore the problem. 20 freshmen House Democrats have asked for legislation to establish an independent ethics commission within the legislative branch to investigate future ethical lapses by fellow members. Speaker Pelosi and others in the majority have resisted such a reform. <ref>Alexander Bolton, [http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/dems-press-pelosi-for-ethics-panel-2007-04-18.html''Dems press Pelosi for ethics panel''], The Hill, April 19, 2007. </ref>