Johnson backs sweeping ban on lawmakers dating any staffers

Speaker Mike Johnson signaled support for broadening the 2018 rule to ban lawmakers from having sexual relationships with any congressional staff, not just subordinates, as part of a broader effort to police misconduct amid MeToo-era scrutiny and reports about Sen. Ruben Gallego. The change would require a revision to the House Code of Official Conduct and has backing from top GOP leaders, though the path forward remains uncertain. The live updates also touch on Lindsey Graham’s committee assignments being filled by his sister, Democratic opposition to a GOP stopgap funding bill, Rep. Jamie Raskin seeking Epstein records, and ongoing reconciliation and budget talks.