The House Ethics Committee urged individuals who have experienced or have information about sexual misconduct involving a member of Congress or staff to come forward.
The bipartisan panel said in a lengthy statement issued Monday it “strongly encourages” anyone to report sexual or inappropriate behavior in the House directly to the committee. The panel noted it has authority to investigate allegations involving both lawmakers and staff and can recommend disciplinary action.
“The Committee on Ethics (Committee) is dedicated to maintaining a congressional workplace free from sexual misconduct and ensuring that any individuals responsible for misconduct are held responsible for their behavior,” the statement said. “There should be zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, harassment, or discrimination in the halls of Congress, or in any employment setting.”
The statement comes a week after the resignations of former Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales.
Before stepping down from Congress, Swalwell halted his California gubernatorial campaign amid sexual misconduct allegations from several women, which he has repeatedly denied. Gonzales had ended his reelection bid after acknowledging a relationship with an aide who later died by suicide.
The two lawmakers were facing potential expulsion and ethics investigations, both of which ended with their resignations.
The panel revealed in the statement that it has opened 20 investigations involving allegations of sexual misconduct against members of Congress since 2017. The panel also released a publicly disclosed list of more than two dozen congressional lawmakers who have been investigated for sexual misconduct, dating back to 1976.
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The committee highlighted existing reporting avenues, including the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, which provides resources and support for employees navigating workplace disputes, including harassment claims.
“The greatest hurdle the Committee faces in evaluating allegations of sexual misconduct is in convincing the most vulnerable witnesses to share their stories,” the statement said.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., told reporters on Monday he plans to meet with Democrats on the House Ethics Committee and leaders of the Democratic Women’s Caucus this week to discuss protecting staffers in the workplace.
“I’m not going to get out ahead of any recommendations that they may put forth other than to say everything needs to be looked at to ensure that people are kept safe,” Jeffries said.
Syedah Asghar and Peggy Helman contributed to this report.
Ebony Davis is a breaking news reporter for MS NOW based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked at CNN as a campaign reporter covering elections and politics.