The correct response to that would be to force the other player to play by the rules. Anyone in either body suggesting such things should be censured at least and preferably ejected by the rules. More importantly, the ethics enforcers should be ruthless but fair in enforcing the rules.
However, the Republicans (like the Dems) have too many skeletons in their closets and don’t want the same things applied to them. The problem is that the Dems take advantage of this and run roughshod over the rules since they don’t have any consequences attached - and they feel any publicity is good publicity. The Republicans still feel shame, so they don’t take advantage of it because they fear public exposure.
More importantly, the ethics enforcers should be ruthless but fair in enforcing the rules.
Maybe they will learn such things at the tax payer funded golf outing they will enjoy in Orlando. The GEO (government ethics office) is hosting a conference at some fancy golf course in Orlando. How outrageous is that?