House Ethics Committee Reveals Sexual Misconduct Investigations Since 1976
Overview of Investigations
On Monday, the House Ethics Committee released a comprehensive list detailing all publicly known sexual misconduct investigations involving House members since 1976. This list includes 28 cases, with 14 linked to Democrats and 12 to Republicans. Notably, over half of these incidents occurred within the last decade. This announcement follows the recent resignations of two lawmakers, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), who faced serious allegations.
The Ethics Committee has a longstanding practice of investigating claims of sexual misconduct among its members and staff, which range from criminal offenses to breaches of workplace conduct. Findings are now made public when allegations are substantiated. The accusations cover a spectrum of issues, including sexual harassment, inappropriate relationships with staff or interns, sexual assault, misconduct involving minors, and solicitation of prostitution.
Highlighted Cases
Several notable cases were highlighted in the report:
- Eric Swalwell (D-CA) — faced allegations of sexual assault; resigned last week.
- Tony Gonzales (R-TX) — accused of sexual misconduct involving staffers, including one who tragically died by suicide; resigned last week.
- Cory Mills (R-FL) — currently under investigation for sexual misconduct and/or dating violence.
- Matt Gaetz (R-FL) — investigated for sexual misconduct involving a minor and solicitation of prostitution.
- Other former members mentioned include Katie Hill, Madison Cawthorn, George Santos, Blake Farenthold, and John Conyers, along with historical cases from the 1970s and 1980s, such as the 1983 House page scandal involving Gerry Studds and Dan Crane.
Committee Findings and Reactions
Out of the cases reviewed, the committee identified sexual misconduct violations in seven instances, while another seven were found to have no violations. Jurisdiction was lost in 13 cases, often due to resignations, and one investigation remains ongoing. Additionally, the House Oversight Committee has issued a subpoena for records related to settlement payments made to victims of workplace violations, including sexual misconduct, prior to 2018. Since 2019, various offices have disbursed settlements ranging from $24,500 to nearly $100,000 for different claims.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) expressed her frustration with Congress's perceived slow response in certain cases, particularly regarding Rep. Mills, stating, “The fact Congress keeps protecting him says everything about who we are as an institution.” The Ethics Committee has urged anyone who has experienced misconduct to come forward and report their experiences. This release is seen as a move towards increased transparency following years of criticism regarding Congress's protection of its members.