House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Wednesday announced a bipartisan effort to combat sexual misconduct on Capitol Hill. The initiative, described as a "partnership," is led by the chairs of the Republican and Democratic women's caucuses: Congresswoman Kat Cammack of Florida and Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico. In a joint statement, the leaders said the taskforce aims to "identify reforms and solutions to make Congress a safer work environment for women and all survivors."
Commitment to Workplace Safety
"No woman – regardless of party, title, or position – should ever feel unsafe in her workplace. Period," Cammack said in a statement announcing the taskforce. The announcement follows the resignations of two congressmen amid sexual misconduct allegations. Former Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democrat, stepped down in April after multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct ended his bid for California governor. Shortly after, Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, resigned after acknowledging an extramarital affair with a staffer and facing a growing threat of expulsion. At least two sitting lawmakers face active ethics investigations, part of a reckoning not seen on Capitol Hill since the #MeToo movement, when a wave of lawmakers resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct.
Ongoing Investigations
On Thursday, the House Ethics Committee announced it was investigating Chuck Edwards, a Republican representative from North Carolina, over allegations of sexual harassment and creating a "hostile work environment" for staff. Johnson, speaking about the taskforce, said, "As a father who has two daughters working on Capitol Hill – this is as personal to me as it is to anyone." He praised the lawmakers leading the effort, which he hopes will "make Capitol Hill safer for women and all staff." Jeffries said the House leaders "support an ironclad policy so we can bring about a safe, professional atmosphere for all congressional staff members."
Proposed Reforms
According to the announcement, proposed reforms from the women's caucuses will be developed in coordination with the House Administration Committee, which has jurisdiction over the internal management of the chamber, including workplace policies and protections. "It is sickening that Congressmen sexually harassed and assaulted women staff instead of treating them with the respect they deserved," Fernández said in the statement. "We know these women are not alone – women across America have been sexually assaulted and harassed by men at work who think they will never face any consequences. We will continue to stand with survivors, break the silence, and fight for a future free of sexual misconduct – in Congress and everywhere across this country." Fernández added that the bipartisan taskforce would push for changes to make the process of reporting sexual misconduct "faster and more accessible" as well as increasing "education and training resources."
