Bipartisan Push Grows to Ban Congress Members From Dating Staff
Some members of Congress are pushing for legislation that would put a damper on the dating habits of lawmakers. Here is a closer look at the move to prohibit dating within the chambers.
Is the End of Dating on Capitol Hill Coming?
It is not unusual for love to blossom within the hallowed halls of Capitol Hill. However, some lawmakers believe that it is inappropriate, advocating for legislation that would prohibit the activity.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, told the media this week that "It's inappropriate, as it would be in any workplace." The leader of the GOP went on to say that "We should, at a bare minimum in Congress, have rules and traditions that are adhered to in corporate America."
He is not alone in his views, as a bipartisan movement to ban members from intimate relationships with lower-level staffers is gaining momentum. Women are largely leading the charge to enact the new policies. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, a Democrat representing New Mexico and chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus, noted that the ban on members dating staff has been a primary goal of the bipartisan ethics reform discussions. According to Fernández, "Congress is a place you come to serve, not to date. We're looking forward to passing this ban and enacting greater reform measures that will not only protect young staffers but change the culture on Capitol Hill."
The recent controversies surrounding allegations of sexual misconduct against two prominent representatives, Republican Tony Gonzales and Democrat Eric Swalwell, have prompted the overhaul of the ethics rules. This push for change could end up being one of the most distinguishing accomplishments of the 119th Congress as record-breaking government shutdowns and partisan gridlock have stymied the work.
When could the change be made? Rep. Kat Cammack, a Republican from Florida and chair of the Republican Women's Caucus, is partnering with Fernández to prepare legislation that could be ready as soon as September following the return from the August recess. In a recent interview, Cammack said that "If you are looking to proposition or date or get involved with another staffer on Capitol Hill, you still exhibit a tremendous amount of influence on that staffer's career, and that's just wrong."
Renewed Call for Action After Latest Controversy
A recent story in the New York Post reignited the calls for action. Citing unnamed sources, the story detailed that Sen. Ruben Gallego engaged in consensual relationships with subordinates years ago while he was single. The Democrat from Arizona simply said that he was not going to entertain the gossip when asked about the allegations.
The majority of the concerns are rooted in the House of Representatives. This chamber of Congress typically has younger staffers when compared to the Senate. However, that does not mean that relationships are unheard of in the Senate. Sen. Jack Reed, a Democrat representing Rhode Island, met his now-wife when she was working as a staffer with a different senator's office. The two married in 2005 and have one daughter.
The bombshell news surrounding Swalwell and Gonzales shined a light on other relationship improprieties in Congress. Rep. Chuck Edwards, a Republican from North Carolina, is under investigation by the House ethics panel after he was accused of sexual harassment by a staffer in his office. The congressman's spokesperson said Edwards welcomes the review, as he is innocent.
While Johnson has acknowledged that the allegations are "serious," it is hard to ignore that none of Edwards' colleagues have defended him. The latest investigation has only served to prompt a more urgent address of the broad issue on Capitol Hill, with fellow GOP members such as Cammack pressing for a faster response to what she calls the "creepiness factor" in Congress.
As one of the most prominent voices in Congress notes, there are lots of options for congressional members wanting to date. When asked about the issue, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York said that "If someone is seeking a partner, we don't necessarily have to do that here."
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