Capitol Hill sex scandals trigger new push to redraw the line for lawmakers
Efforts to prohibit relationships between US lawmakers and congressional staff are gathering support after several high-profile allegations of sexual misconduct on Capitol Hill. The proposal is intended to clarify ethical boundaries and reduce potential conflicts of interest arising from unequal workplace power dynamics.
Republican Representative Jeff Crank of Colorado introduced the bill on Tuesday. It would bar House members from sexual relationships with congressional staff unless the House Ethics Committee finds that the contact does not create a conflict of interest; the initiative follows several recent controversies involving legislators.
- New bill targets lawmaker-staff relationships.
- Ethics Committee could allow exceptions.
- Proposal follows Capitol Hill misconduct controversies.