{"id":13419,"date":"2026-07-22T09:12:29","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T04:12:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=13419"},"modified":"2026-07-22T09:12:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T04:12:29","slug":"speaker-johnson-supports-expanding-ban-on-lawmaker-relationships-with-subordinates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=13419","title":{"rendered":"Speaker Johnson supports expanding ban on lawmaker relationships with subordinates"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-testid=\"prism-article-body\">\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao MvWXB TjIXL aGjvy ebVHC \">House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he supports a change to House rules that would ban members of Congress from having a sexual relationship with any staffer on Capitol Hill.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;I can&#8217;t believe it would be acceptable in any situation,&#8221; Johnson said<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->at the weekly Republican leadership news conference.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;I think it&#8217;s inappropriate, as it would be in any workplace, and most companies have that. We should, at a bare minimum, in Congress have, you know, rules and traditions that are adhered to in corporate America. So that&#8217;s an easy one for me,&#8221; Johnson<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->said.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO fnRUo pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW RMeqy daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc MENS nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY rPLsU iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM IEgzD OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD VWDdR ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV GPGwb oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \">\n<div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage GpQCA lZur asrEW \" data-testid=\"prism-inline-image\">\n<figure class=\"kzIjN GNmeK pYrtp dSqFO \" data-testid=\"prism-figure\">\n<div class=\"GpQCA lZur gIjeL \" data-testid=\"prism-ratio-frame\">\n<div class=\"FvQLF iLTd NqeUA UzzHi iWsMV \"><picture data-testid=\"prism-picture\"><source media=\"(max-width: 414px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/8ac34c97-9e3e-4a9c-bd0b-73726aa69257\/mike-johnson-1-rt-gmh-260721_1784658196514_hpMain.jpg?w=375, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/8ac34c97-9e3e-4a9c-bd0b-73726aa69257\/mike-johnson-1-rt-gmh-260721_1784658196514_hpMain.jpg?w=750 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 415px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/8ac34c97-9e3e-4a9c-bd0b-73726aa69257\/mike-johnson-1-rt-gmh-260721_1784658196514_hpMain.jpg?w=750, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/8ac34c97-9e3e-4a9c-bd0b-73726aa69257\/mike-johnson-1-rt-gmh-260721_1784658196514_hpMain.jpg?w=1500 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"hsDdd NDJZt sJeUN IJwXl vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI \" data-testid=\"prism-image\" draggable=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/8ac34c97-9e3e-4a9c-bd0b-73726aa69257\/mike-johnson-1-rt-gmh-260721_1784658196514_hpMain.jpg\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"nMMea bNYiy Mjgpa dGwha DDmxa jgKNG RGHCC aBIU PriDW aiQHS lZur \" data-testid=\"prism-caption\">\n<p><span class=\"hsDdd OOSI GpQCA lZur VlFaz \" data-testid=\"prism-truncate\"><span><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ \">House Speaker Mike Johnson delivers remarks with Britain&#8217;s Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle as they meet at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, July 21, 2026.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ YNujN JGtjI aZFDu rkKLh \">Eric Lee\/Reuters<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">While it is against House rules for a lawmaker to have a romantic relationship with any employee who works under their direct supervision, the language does not apply to all of Congress and does not bar relations with staff from other offices.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain, R-Mich., called for a ban on lawmaker-staff relationships in a<!-- -->\u00a0<a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FRepLisaMcClain%2Fstatus%2F2078473693672472876%3Fs%3D20&amp;data=05%7C02%7CJohn.Helton%40abc.com%7C3948a171842045bc0bfe08dee771cd96%7C56b731a8a2ac4c32bf6b616810e913c6%7C1%7C0%7C639202673121875155%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=T3uo1xrB%2BELx5xCI9sykMZPFBU58dNDCfTl95aAQbgw%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" dir=\"ltr\">post on X<\/a>\u00a0<!-- -->over the weekend after the New York Post published a story that Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona was in romantic relationships with two staffers outside his office while he served in the House from 2015 to 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Asked if The Post&#8217;s reporting was accurate, Gallego<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->told reporters, &#8220;I&#8217;m not going to engage in gossip.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">In her post, McClain, the highest-ranking female Republican in the House, said, &#8220;Even if a relationship is consensual, there is an inherent power imbalance that can undermine trust and create an appearance of impropriety. The goal should be protecting staff and maintaining confidence in the institution.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The Senate Ethics Committee recently dismissed a complaint filed by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., against Gallego, alleging campaign finance violations and sexual misconduct.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;Based on the investigation of the Committee, the Committee did not find evidence that your action violated Federal law, Senate Rules, or related standard of conduct,&#8221; the Committee wrote in a letter addressed to Gallego dated June 26.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Lawmakers from both parties have been accused of sexual misconduct over the years, as detailed in this <a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/ethics.house.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Historical-Chart-of-Sexual-Misconduct-Matters.pdf\" dir=\"ltr\">fact sheet<\/a> from the Ethics Committee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Former<!-- -->\u00a0<a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.com%2FPolitics%2Feric-swalwell-tony-gonzales-resign-congress%2Fstory%3Fid%3D132039455&amp;data=05%7C02%7CJohn.Helton%40abc.com%7C3948a171842045bc0bfe08dee771cd96%7C56b731a8a2ac4c32bf6b616810e913c6%7C1%7C0%7C639202673121945433%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=K1Bs5qO%2Fel78J5XzKx3%2FbWNVzNNZdUtqqKlkSZ9gwSs%3D&amp;reserved=0\" dir=\"ltr\">Reps. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, resigned from Congress<\/a>\u00a0<!-- -->earlier this year because of allegations of sexual misconduct. Swalwell was also accused of sexual assault, which he has denied. Gonzales admitted to an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., said in a<!-- -->\u00a0<a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FRepKatCammack%2Fstatus%2F2077856492854587440&amp;data=05%7C02%7CJohn.Helton%40abc.com%7C3948a171842045bc0bfe08dee771cd96%7C56b731a8a2ac4c32bf6b616810e913c6%7C1%7C0%7C639202673121971057%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=9ZIVYz%2F0xbZCPvU8kEYrMi%2Fv%2FVDP%2Bz7to4iZHH6ivkc%3D&amp;reserved=0\" dir=\"ltr\">post on X<\/a>\u00a0<!-- -->reacting to the Post&#8217;s Gallego story that as chair of the Republican Women&#8217;s Caucus, she is leading a bipartisan effort to reform how Congress handles allegations of sexual misconduct.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC eTIW sUzSN \">&#8220;Accountability cannot begin and end with resignations,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Close the resignation loopholes. No more secret findings. No more special treatment. Hold every offender accountable.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he supports a change to House rules that would ban members of Congress from having a sexual relationship with any staffer on Capitol Hill. &#8220;I can&#8217;t believe it would be acceptable in any situation,&#8221; Johnson said\u00a0at the weekly Republican leadership news conference.\u00a0 &#8220;I think it&#8217;s inappropriate, as it would&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13420,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/8ac34c97-9e3e-4a9c-bd0b-73726aa69257\/mike-johnson-1-rt-gmh-260721_1784658196514_hpMain_16x9.jpg?w=1600","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13419","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abc-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13419","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13419"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13419\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13420"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13419"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13419"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}