Sexual harassment rules for Congress are under review after a flurry of ethics cases

A bipartisan House working group is preparing changes to how Capitol Hill handles sexual harassment, prompted by a surge in Ethics Committee investigations this year. Representatives Kat Cammack, a Florida Republican, and Teresa Leger Fernandez, a New Mexico Democrat, lead the effort. Cammack says former staffers contacted her to describe experiences they had kept quiet, and she calls the current system built to discourage victims from speaking up. Recommendations are expected after the Nov. 3 elections, with action hoped for before year's end, according to ABC News.

The group found that victims often do not know where to turn, doubt wrongdoers will face consequences, and are hampered by a 180-day filing deadline. Three lawmakers resigned this year rather than face expulsion votes, two over alleged sexual misconduct: Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales. The House censured Chuck Edwards, 413-2, over his conduct toward two young female aides. Jimmy Gomez and Cory Mills remain under investigation; Gomez says his actions were consensual, while Mills denies the allegations.

Proposals include extending the ban on sexual relationships between members and staff to cover every congressional employee, and creating a single point of contact Leger Fernandez likens to a 911 line for harassment complaints.

Summarized by PolitiKool from ABC News’s reporting. Read the full story at ABC News →