U.S. Congress moves to ban lawmakers' romantic relationships with staff

Congressional leaders are advancing bipartisan legislation to prohibit members of the U.S. House and Senate from entering into intimate relationships with any staff employee. The proposal would broaden existing rules that already bar legislators from dating their own aides, extending the ban to all lower‑level Hill workers. The push follows recent scandals that led to the resignations of Rep. Tony Gonzales and Rep. Eric Swalwell amid allegations of sexual misconduct with subordinates. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R‑Louisiana, said such relationships are “inappropriate, as it would be in any workplace,” and called for standards comparable to corporate America. Democratic Women’s Caucus chair Teresa Leger Fernández and Republican Women’s Caucus chair Kat Cammack are co‑leading the effort, with support from lawmakers including Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez. A draft bill could be introduced after the summer recess, aiming to protect young staffers and change Capitol Hill culture.