Johnson Backs Ban On Member-Staffer Romantic Relationships

According to Axios, House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he supports banning members of Congress from having romantic or sexual relationships with Capitol Hill staff, a move that would tighten House workplace rules. House rules already bar members from sexual relationships with their own staff, but do not prohibit relationships with staffers outside their offices. A bipartisan House task force on sexual misconduct is weighing whether to recommend a broader ban, and Rep. Kat Cammack, the Republican lead on the panel, said lawmakers have a "difference of opinion" on the proposal and that the task force is "70% of the way there" on a wider package of recommendations. Calls for tougher rules have increased after sexual misconduct allegations involving lawmakers including Reps. Tony Gonzales, Eric Swalwell, Chuck Edwards and Cory Mills, while House Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain also has called for a ban on member relations with congressional staff.