Speaker Mike Johnson believes that members of Congress should not have romantic relationships with House employees, even if such employees are not employed by them.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Johnson offered his thoughts on a contentious issue on Capitol Hill: Should lawmakers be permitted to pursue relationships with employees outside of their own offices? For Johnson, it's a simple decision: They shouldn't.
Regarding politicians dating any House staff members, Johnson remarked, "I can't believe it would be acceptable in any situation." "That is an easy one for me because I believe that Congress should, at the very least, have rules and traditions that are followed in corporate America."
Johnson's remarks coincide with increased attempts to lessen harassment on Capitol Hill and with a bipartisan working group focusing on changes intended to make Congress a more secure and professional place for women.
The discussion over how to eradicate sexual harassment on the Hill has revolved around the question of whether members should be permitted to date employees outside of their workplace. In the days following the resignations of Republican Representative Tony Gonzales and Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell, several members argued that legislators should be prohibited from having sex with any House employees, not just those who worked for them.
However, some opponents of the initiative contended that since more young, unmarried politicians are entering Washington, consensual relationships outside of a member's office are outside the purview of what Congress should regulate.
Teresa Leger Fernandez, the chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus, quickly praised Johnson's stance and suggested it be included of a set of recommendations from the bipartisan working group on sexual harassment.
"We've pushed to extend the prohibition against members having sexual relationships to ALL staff from the beginning," she stated. "All employees, not just those in the member's office, are subject to the power dynamics that result in abuse."
She went on to say that she is eager to "finalize our work" with the Republican Women's Caucus in order "to reform the culture of sexual misconduct on the Hill."
Although it is currently prohibited under House rules for members to date or pursue their own employees, Johnson's remarks would give the bipartisan working group greater impetus to continue the endeavor.
Prior to Johnson's remarks on Tuesday, GOP Representative Kat Cammack told CNN that the working group was roughly "70%" there in an attempt to release a list of recommendations.
She did, however, contend that more work needed to be done.
Regarding the training, there is a lot of agreement. Regarding awareness and streamlining, there is excellent agreement. The difficult aspect, she said, is how to deal with the ensuing accountability and put an end to the reprisals on Capitol Hill.
How to deal with MPs who violate the rules, how soon they should be held accountable, and how to strike a balance between the need for responsibility and the reality that members are chosen by the electorate have been some of the more difficult aspects of the agreement.
Cammack stated, "You have to balance the constitutional role we have in protecting people back home with their right to representation and bad behavior up here on Capitol Hill in Washington." One of the most annoying things, in my opinion, is that if constituents back home were aware of how their member was conducting business up here on Capitol Hill, they would take care of business in the next election. Unfortunately, though, we don't have body cams up here.
