WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Speaker Mike Johnson is calling for a major change to congressional ethics rules, saying members of Congress should be prohibited from pursuing romantic relationships with any House staffer, not just employees working directly in their own offices.
The proposal represents one of the strongest public positions taken by House leadership on workplace relationships and comes as lawmakers from both parties continue debating reforms aimed at preventing sexual harassment and abuse of power on Capitol Hill.
Johnson: "I Can't Believe It Would Be Acceptable"
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Johnson argued that Congress should hold itself to the same—or even higher—standards expected in the private sector.
"I can't believe it would be acceptable in any situation," Johnson said when asked whether lawmakers should date House staffers. "I think we should as a bare minimum in Congress have rules and traditions that are adhered to in corporate America."
Under current House ethics rules, members are already prohibited from pursuing romantic or sexual relationships with employees who work directly for them because of the obvious supervisory relationship and power imbalance.
Johnson, however, believes that prohibition should extend across the entire House of Representatives, regardless of whether the staffer works for another member or committee.
Why the Debate Has Intensified
The discussion follows several high-profile controversies involving members of Congress and allegations of inappropriate relationships and workplace misconduct.
In recent months, lawmakers from both parties have debated whether the current rules go far enough to protect congressional staff. Many argue that even when a staffer works for another office, there remains an inherent imbalance of power between elected officials and employees who depend on Congress for their careers.
Supporters of expanding the ban say the issue isn't simply about consent—it is about preventing situations where influence, prestige, or political power could create coercive environments.
Bipartisan Push for Reform
Johnson's comments immediately received praise from Democratic Women's Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernandez, who has advocated for expanding the prohibition.
She said the Democratic Women's Caucus has long argued that the restrictions should apply to all congressional staff, not just those employed directly by an individual lawmaker.
According to Fernandez, the power imbalance exists throughout Congress because every staff member ultimately works within the same institution and may interact professionally with numerous members.
She expressed optimism that a bipartisan working group examining sexual harassment reforms could soon finalize recommendations.
Republican Support
Republican Rep. Kat Cammack, who serves on the bipartisan working group studying Capitol Hill workplace reforms, said negotiations have made significant progress.
According to Cammack, lawmakers have reached broad agreement on several issues, including:
Improved sexual harassment training.
Better reporting procedures.
Increased awareness of employee protections.
Streamlining complaint processes.
The more difficult questions, she acknowledged, involve enforcement.
Lawmakers continue debating how quickly members accused of misconduct should face consequences, what penalties should apply, and how to balance congressional accountability with voters' right to elect their representatives.
The Constitutional Question
One of the most complicated aspects of any reform is that members of Congress are elected officials—not traditional employees.
Unlike executives in private corporations, members cannot simply be fired by a supervisor.
Instead, disciplinary actions can include House ethics investigations, public reprimands, censure, removal from committees, or expulsion in the most serious cases.
Ultimately, voters retain the power to remove members at the ballot box.
Cammack noted that many constituents might vote differently if they were fully aware of lawmakers' conduct in Washington, adding that much of what happens on Capitol Hill occurs outside public view.
A Cultural Shift on Capitol Hill
Congress has spent much of the past decade reevaluating workplace standards following the #MeToo movement and numerous allegations of sexual harassment involving lawmakers and senior congressional staff.
Reforms have included mandatory workplace training, expanded reporting mechanisms, and changes to how complaints are handled through the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.
Johnson's proposal would represent another significant step toward treating Congress more like large private-sector employers, many of which maintain strict policies regarding workplace relationships involving unequal power dynamics.
What Happens Next?
Johnson's endorsement may provide additional momentum for the bipartisan working group as it prepares recommendations for House leadership.
If adopted, the proposal would significantly broaden current ethics rules by prohibiting members from dating any House employee, regardless of where that staff member works.
Whether enough lawmakers agree remains to be seen. Critics argue Congress should not regulate consensual relationships between adults who have no direct reporting relationship, while supporters contend that preserving professionalism and eliminating potential abuses of power outweigh those concerns.
As negotiations continue, the debate reflects a broader question facing Congress: how to modernize workplace standards while respecting the unique constitutional role of elected officials.
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