As political debate increases throughout the country, a rare ethical controversy is emerging in Russia. A dozen major media outlets have ended or limited their coverage of the lower chamber in Russia's parliament, the Duma, after its ethics committee mocked sexual harassment and assault allegations from journalists against Leonid Slutsky, the Chairman of the State Duma's Foreign Affairs Committee. Over 30 media outlets claim either that their journalists are no longer safe covering Duma affairs or that they are standing in solidarity with the media outlets that are backing the accusations. In office for almost 20 years as a member of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party, Slutsky has long been a controversial figure because of his crass speech and his refusal to pay either his taxes or his nearly 1,000 traffic fines.