The House Ethics Committee announced Monday that it is investigating Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) for allegations of sexual misconduct, including "inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer." Gomez, who has represented portions of Los Angeles since 2017, stated that he made "personal mistakes" outside his marriage but maintained that his actions were consensual and did not violate House rules or the law.
The investigation follows an April report by the New York Post that Gomez was seen kissing a member of another office's congressional staff in 2023. While a spokesperson initially denied the report, Gomez later acknowledged the mistakes privately. The committee, led by a bipartisan panel, noted that the existence of an inquiry does not automatically indicate that a violation of the Code of Official Conduct occurred.
Attorneys Lisa J. Banks and Sarah E. Nesbitt, representing an unnamed woman interviewed by the committee, disputed Gomez's claim of consent. The attorneys stated that their client reported experiencing sexual harassment and assault by the congressman. CBS News reported it had not verified the claims, and Gomez said he would cooperate with the inquiry while declining further comment out of respect for his family.
The proceedings coincide with proposed legislation to overhaul House ethics rules, which would explicitly ban sexual relationships between lawmakers and any congressional staff members. Currently, rules generally focus on relationships with staffers under a member's direct supervision. A change in these rules would establish a new legal standard for the 435 members of the House and thousands of federal employees working in congressional offices, potentially altering the workplace rights and protections for staffers across the Capitol.
What happens next depends on the committee’s findings. If the bipartisan panel finds evidence of a violation, it could recommend sanctions ranging from a private letter of reproval to a formal House vote for censure. The committee has not announced a specific deadline for the conclusion of the probe, but the investigation will proceed as Gomez moves toward the November general election. The House is also scheduled to consider the aforementioned legislative overhaul of ethics rules, though a specific vote date was not reported.