Reps. Kat Cammack (R-FL) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) are drafting bipartisan legislation to overhaul how the House of Representatives identifies and investigates sexual misconduct. The proposal, scheduled for unveiling in September after the summer recess, seeks to streamline the reporting process for staffers and adjust how the House Ethics Committee functions. The lawmakers stated the framework aims to create a more consistent system for holding members of Congress accountable for workplace violations.
The effort follows a series of recent misconduct allegations that led to the resignations of former Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX). It also comes after a House Ethics Committee report in early August recommended the censure of Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) for "inappropriate conduct" toward staffers. Rep. Edwards, who denied the claims, subsequently withdrew from his reelection bid. While some inquiries have moved quickly, others, such as a two-year-old probe into Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) regarding financial disclosures and separate assault allegations, remain pending.
The proposed framework includes establishing a "one-stop shop" for reporting, staffed by individuals with trauma-informed training to guide employees through their options. Mechanically, the bill may seek to prohibit all House members from having intimate relationships with any congressional staffer, expanding current rules that apply only to a member's own office. Additionally, the lawmakers are considering setting stricter deadlines for investigative reports and increasing the number of staff members assigned to ethics inquiries to reduce delays.
The scale of the impact involves the potential codification of the OCC, which currently requires reauthorization every two years to maintain its authority. By making this non-partisan investigative body permanent through federal law, the legislation would ensure a consistent external check on House members. However, expanding this authority to the Senate would require broader legislative support, affecting 100 additional offices and their employees. Staffers represented by the Congressional Progressive Staff Association, which includes over 1,500 employees, have already formally requested that the OCC be expanded to include the Senate and granted limited subpoena power.
A person familiar with the negotiations, granted anonymity to discuss private talks, noted that outreach has begun to Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) regarding similar reforms in the Senate. The success of the House plan could set a precedent for how the legislative branch polices itself, though the effort faces potential resistance from lawmakers concerned about partisan misuse of the ethics process. The framework is expected to be unveiled in September 2026, with some provisions potentially integrated into the House rules package adopted at the start of each new Congress. Currently, the Senate Ethics Committee has not responded to requests for comment on whether they will join the effort.