As I was reviewing bills today, I came across H.R. 4738, the "Commission to Strengthen Confidence in Congress Act of 2006". The bill creates a 10 member commission to take a look at how Congress could improve its public confidence figures to "evaluate and report the effectiveness of current congressional ethics requirements". To achieve this goal, it allows for an unspecified number of staff members to be hired (all to receive security clearances) and the ability to contract additional consultants as necessary.

In typical Congressional fashion (displaying a reason why Congress lacks public confidence):

SEC. 10. FUNDING.

There are authorized such sums as necessary to carry out this Act.

Yes, that's right-- a blank check.