A new legislative effort seeks to ban sexual relationships between House lawmakers and their staff, along with prohibiting them from living together outside of marriage, in the wake of several publicized scandals involving members of Congress. The proposed measures were introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.
Mace stated that lawmakers' priorities should be serving constituents, not engaging in relationships with staff. "Congress is not your personal dating pool. If you can't do your job without hitting on staff, find another job and leave the women you work with alone," Mace said, indicating the ban is partly aimed at male lawmakers who may abuse their power.
A second bill would prohibit lawmakers from living with House employees, except in cases where they are married and cohabitating. "No staffer should ever be coming home at night to the person who signs their paycheck. It's inappropriate, it's a conflict of interest, and it should have been banned decades ago," Mace commented.
These proposals follow a series of reports and allegations concerning members of Congress and their relationships with staff. Senator Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., reportedly had past sexual relationships with two House staffers. While defenders noted he was unmarried at the time and the staffers did not work for him, the reports emerged as a point of public scrutiny.
Former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., faced allegations of sexual misconduct and rape, which he denied but acknowledged making unspecified personal mistakes, apologizing to his wife. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, resigned from his seat amid scrutiny over an affair with a staff member who later died by suicide. Additionally, Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., is reportedly under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for alleged sexual harassment, which he has denied.
Mace's proposed legislation has garnered support from other House Republicans, including Reps. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., Jeff Crank, R-Colo., Lisa McClain, R-Mich., and Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. Cammack and Crank have also introduced their own legislation to limit such conduct.