Resolution prohibiting sexual relationships between lawmakers and staff approved: US House

On February 6, a resolution that strictly prohibits sexual relationships between lawmakers and their subordinates was passed in the House. The bill addresses changes on how complaints are addressed at Capitol Hill.

The bipartisan bill, primarily pushed by Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.), went into effect immediately after the afternoon vote. A second bill that also passed now requires members involved in workplace disputes to personally reimburse the Treasury Department if taxpayer dollars are used to cover settlements.

The new rules which mirror the ones enacted by the military and many private sector entities bar lawmakers from engaging sexually with any employees or their staff, but do not bar relationships with congressional aides that they don't supervise.

It was not immediately clear what repercussions lawmakers who flout the rules could face. It was also not clear when the Senate plans to take up a similar bill.

The significant rule change proves the most tangible reaction yet since the dawn of the "Me Too" and "Time's Up" movements. It also comes after a string of high-profile congressional resignations.

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) stepped down in January 2018 in response to allegations that he inappropriately touched or forcibly kissed at least eight women.

Franken's ouster was preceded by resignations from Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.), Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.), Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) and Rep. Ruben Kihuen (D-Nev.) — all of whom had been accused of sexual misconduct.

Rep. Farenthold's resignation garnered particular attention after it was revealed that the secretive congressional Office of Compliance had used taxpayers dollars to settle misconduct complaints against him. Those revelations prompted public outrage, with lawmakers pledging to reform the way Congress deals with sexual misconduct.

(Credit: nydailynews)