House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have announced a bipartisan initiative to address sexual misconduct on Capitol Hill. The effort, unveiled on Wednesday, establishes a taskforce led by the chairs of the Republican and Democratic women's caucuses: Representative Kat Cammack of Florida and Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico.
Taskforce Aims to Make Capitol Hill Safer
In a joint statement, the leaders said the partnership aims to "identify reforms and solutions to make Congress a safer work environment for women and all survivors." Cammack emphasized, "No woman – regardless of party, title, or position – should ever feel unsafe in her workplace. Period."
The announcement follows the resignations of former Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democrat who stepped down in April after multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, and Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, who resigned after acknowledging an extramarital affair with a staffer and facing potential expulsion. At least two sitting lawmakers are under active ethics investigations, marking a reckoning reminiscent of the #MeToo movement, when a wave of lawmakers resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.
On Thursday, the House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into Representative Chuck Edwards, a Republican from North Carolina, over allegations of sexual harassment and creating a "hostile work environment" for staff.
Personal Commitment from Leadership
Johnson, who noted he has two daughters working on Capitol Hill, said the effort is personal to him. "As a father who has two daughters working on Capitol Hill – this is as personal to me as it is to anyone," he said, praising the lawmakers leading the initiative to "make Capitol Hill safer for women and all staff." Jeffries added that the House leaders "support an ironclad policy so we can bring about a safe, professional atmosphere for all congressional staff members."
Proposed Reforms and Next Steps
The proposed reforms from the women's caucuses will be developed in coordination with the House Administration Committee, which oversees internal chamber management, including workplace policies and protections. Fernandez stated, "It is sickening that Congressmen sexually harassed and assaulted women staff instead of treating them with the respect they deserved. 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."
Fernandez further noted that the bipartisan taskforce would push for changes to make the reporting process "faster and more accessible" and to increase "education and training resources."
