USAT reports.

The debate comes as a 22-member transition team meets this week to begin crafting rules for the operation of the GOP-led House. In addition to the fate of the independent office, Republicans must decide whether to keep in place a slew of ethics rules passed by the Democratic-controlled Congress in 2007. They include bans on gifts and meals from lobbyists and their employers, along with restrictions on lobbyist-funded travel by House members.