WASHINGTON (AP) — When Rep. Kate Carmack began forming a task force this spring to combat sexual misconduct on Capitol Hill, the Florida Republican quickly heard from former staffers who wanted to share their stories.
She said they “came out of the woodwork” and remained silent because it was known that coming forward would be the end of their hard-earned careers.
“These are the hardest conversations to have,” Carmack said. “These stories are heart-wrenching.”
House Ethics Committee investigations into sexual misconduct have surged this year, prompting congressional leaders to create a task force led by Carmack and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez. Carmack said their findings were disturbing.
Victims don’t know where to go for help. They don’t believe the perpetrators will be punished. Current requirements for reporting harassment may work against them, such as a 180-day “limitation” on filing a claim after an alleged violation.
“This is a disaster,” Carmack said. “The entire system on Capitol Hill is really designed to have a chilling effect on victims.”
The task force is expected to issue revised recommendations after the Nov. 3 election, with the goal of taking action by the end of the year.
A host of ethical cases have led to this moment
As Congress has been trying to do more this year than keep the federal government running, the House Ethics Committee has been caught in the middle of some major events in Washington.
This year, three lawmakers resigned to avoid the prospect of an expulsion vote. Two of the cases involved alleged sexual misconduct. Another member was reprimanded for his interactions with two female aides. Other investigations are ongoing.
The stories come as Congress faces public outrage over the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus have held multiple meetings with survivors over the past few months as they push for the Justice Department to release documents related to Epstein.
In April, the Ethics Committee began investigating whether then-Rep. California Democrat Eric Swalwell committed sexual misconduct against an employee who worked under his supervision. Swalwell resigned soon after colleagues called for him to be fired.
Likewise, Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, resigned amid a committee investigation into whether he engaged in sexual misconduct with an employee in his office. Gonzalez admitted to having an affair with a staff member who later committed suicide.
Most recently, the committee recommended censure against Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards after an investigation concluded he engaged in ongoing unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers in his office. The House of Representatives approved the proposal by a vote of 413 to 2.
Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., is also the subject of a committee investigation into possible sexual misconduct with House staff. Gomez said he would cooperate with the investigation but also stressed that his actions were consensual in nature and did not violate the law or House ethics rules. He also apologized to his family and constituents.
The committee is also investigating Florida Republican Rep. Corey Mills for allegations of sexual misconduct or dating violence. Mills has denied the accusations and lost the recent Republican primary.
Lawmakers feel the need to take action
This photo combination shows 2021 Florida Rep. Kat Cammack, left, and 2024 Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M. Photos by Marta Lavandier and Jose Luis Magana/AP
Carmack said that as stories began to emerge about some of the cases before the committee, she and her colleagues began discussing what they could do to “clean up the House.” She approached Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, about the chance to join.
She said Johnson responded: “Well, the timing is good because I’m coming to you to ask you to make this effort.”
When Cammack asked Leger Fernandez for cooperation, Leger Fernandez was also discussing reform with Democratic leadership.
“The common thread between the two parties is that both the Democratic Women’s Caucus and the Republican Women’s Caucus say there needs to be structural change. We need to work together,” Léger Fernandez said.
The task force first held a meeting to hear from lawmakers and staff. They are also seeking advice on best practices from those in the military, corporate America and victims’ advocacy groups. Cammack and Leger Fernandez held a sold-out meeting with employees in July.
Several reform ideas are on the table
Congress has tried to address sexual harassment before.
It passed legislation in 2018 that included a requirement for lawmakers to reimburse the Treasury Department for verdicts and settlements related to sexual harassment cases. It also requires workers to have access to a dedicated advocate who can guide them through the process of filing a claim with the Congressional Office of Workplace Rights.
Some of the task force’s recommendations will involve changes to House rules. Lawmakers are already prohibited from having sex with their own staff or committee staff. But the task force wants to extend the ban to all congressional staffers.
“In my opinion, if you’re trying to advance your love life on Capitol Hill, you’re here for the wrong reasons,” said Carmack, who worked as a congressional aide for several years before winning election to the House.
The task force also seeks to streamline the reporting system for staff to report harassment. Many people simply don’t know where to complain.
“I call it a 911 sexual harassment hotline, where you just make one call and find out what other options someone might have,” Leger Fernandez said.
Another change could be giving alleged victims more time to file complaints. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces anti-discrimination laws, also imposes a 180-day deadline for filing complaints, but that period can be extended to 300 days in cases covered by state or local anti-discrimination laws.
Increasing the time to file a complaint would be an update to the Congressional Accountability Act, which requires Congress to comply with many of the same employment laws that apply to the private sector. Updating the current law would also require Senate support, complicating the outlook.
The task force also seeks to increase accountability for lawmakers and their senior staff who engage in harassment.
“The fact that in 2026 we’re still insisting that it’s not okay to sexually abuse or harass women is outrageous and if you’re a woman, it’s incredibly frustrating and sad,” Leger Fernandez said.
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