Republican Representative Nancy Mace is introducing two bills to prohibit House members from having sexual relationships with any House staffer, rather than only employees under their direct supervision. The proposal follows recent Capitol Hill sexual-misconduct controversies and reports that Senator Ruben Gallego had relationships with House aides while serving in the House, increasing pressure to tighten workplace safeguards and address power imbalances.

Current House rules, adopted after the #MeToo movement, bar members from relationships with staff in their own offices or on committees they oversee, but do not cover all congressional employees. Reports said Gallego’s alleged relationships involved at least two staffers who did not work for him; his office did not substantively address the claims. The wider debate has also been shaped by the resignations of Representatives Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales amid separate allegations and scandals.