Johnson defends House Ethics Committee, backs reforms amid sex abuse scandals

WASHINGTON (CN) — House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday said he still has faith in the work of the House Ethics Committee after a pair of high-profile sexual misconduct scandals in his chamber raised questions about whether the panel was doing enough to hold lawmakers accountable.

But the top House Republican added he is open to additional reforms to safety mechanisms for victims of sexual misconduct looking to come forward and report their experiences.

Two members of Congress resigned in disgrace last week amid accusations that they had inappropriate relationships with staffers. California Representative Eric Swalwell, who also dropped his bid to become the Golden State’s next governor, faced accusations he sexually assaulted a former staff member — charges he denies. And Texas Representative Tony Gonzales stepped aside after admitting that he had an affair with one of his congressional employees from whom he solicited explicit photographs.

The House Ethics Committee, the bipartisan panel charged with policing member conduct, opened investigations into both lawmakers but dropped their probes after Swalwell and Gonzales resigned.

Still, the episode has renewed scrutiny of Congress and its ethics procedures. Reports of the members’ behavior broke in the press and were not disclosed via channels for reporting misconduct, raising concerns that victims feel unsafe using existing mechanisms to come forward.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Johnson said the House is “looking at every potential avenue” to tighten reporting rules, adding his own daughters work as committee staff on Capitol Hill and that the matter is deeply personal.

“For that very reason, we have to protect women and anyone who feels like there’s any inappropriate behavior whatsoever,” Johnson said. “If there are ways to tighten the rules — suggestions — we’re seeking that from all members, we’re open to that.”

Johnson added that while there are “lots of mechanisms in place” for reporting misconduct, he hopes any reforms to those practices would enjoy bipartisan support.

But the top House Republican also stood by the Ethics Committee’s work, calling it “essential” to maintaining public faith in Congress.

“There’s always been untoward activity among political figures, going back to time immemorial,” Johnson told reporters. “And when allegations are made against members of Congress, they take it very seriously. There’s a number of deliberate steps that are taken where due process is provided.”

He pointed out the ethics panel does not act “based on allegations” and that the careful and bipartisan nature of the committee’s investigations means “sometimes it takes a long time.”

“We’re doing the best we can under difficult circumstances,” Johnson said.

As Congress grapples with its handling of sexual misconduct in its own ranks, new data indicates the number of victims of such behavior on Capitol Hill is likely undercounted.

According to a report from the National Women’s Defense League, first reported by The 19th, 77% of workplace sexual harassment complaints against members of Congress involved congressional staff. But the survey added that figure was likely much higher, because the data provided only reflects accusations of sexual harassment that were made public.

The increased scrutiny of the Ethics Committee’s handling of such behavior also spurred the panel to release a rare public statement defending its investigation practices. The committee on Monday published a list of lawmakers it has investigated over the last 50 years over accusations of sexual misconduct.

And in a statement, the House’s ethics panel said it has a “long history” of probing sexual assault and harassment claims against members of Congress and that there “should be zero tolerance” for such conduct among lawmakers or in any employment setting. The Ethics Committee, which is known for its secretive operations, also said it is committed to releasing the findings of its investigations “whenever allegations of sexual misconduct were substantiated.”

Meanwhile, Johnson on Tuesday opined the congressional fight to shield staff from member misconduct should begin even before lawmakers are sworn into office.

“I think candidate recruitment is a big part of this as well,” he told reporters, arguing House Republicans are “carefully recruiting” people to run for national office who are serious legislators and “persons of great integrity.”

“We don’t need people running for Congress because they want to be famous,” he said. “We don’t need people running for Congress because they see this as some sort of opportunity for their own individual endeavors. You’ve got to screen for the right people, and I’m confident there are enough patriotic Americans who are willing to come serve sacrificially in this institution and do it right.”

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