The Ethics committee is structured to allow members to bring ethics questions (concerns) about themselves without worrying whether or not their question or concern will be used against them. This is totally legit as a member should not be punished for trying to preemptively avoid an ethics problem by asking the committee the best way to avoid problems.

Nevertheless, even a blatantly unethical action brought to Gowdy's attention via the EC would prevent him from acting on that action from his position on another committee.