All articles tagged with #ethics committee
A woman has accused California Democrat Rep. Jimmy Gomez of sexual assault and harassment; Gomez denies wrongdoing. The House Ethics Committee has opened an investigation into whether he violated conduct rules, including inappropriate contact with a staffer, though the probe is not proof of misconduct. The case comes amid a wave of ethics inquiries and resignations on Capitol Hill as the midterm elections approach.
Bipartisan Reps. Kat Cammack and Teresa Leger Fernández push a sweeping overhaul of Congress’s ethics machinery to create a one-stop reporting system, speed up investigations, and harden penalties for misconduct—measures that face resistance from lawmakers and require Senate buy‑in, with enforcement and frivolous-claim concerns complicating prospects.
A bipartisan effort in the House led by Reps. Kat Cammack and Teresa Leger Fernández aims to overhaul how sexual misconduct and other violations are identified, investigated, and punished on Capitol Hill, including creating a centralized, trauma-informed reporting system, boosting investigative staff, and potentially codifying the Office of Congressional Conduct into law. The plan, slated for a September reveal and backed by Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, seeks stronger, faster enforcement and consistent penalties, but faces resistance over enforcement scope and the need for Senate approval amid fears of partisan overreach.
Ohio Rep. Max Miller will remain the GOP nominee for the 7th District after the deadline to replace him passed, though he could still withdraw and leave the party without a candidate. The move comes amid mounting GOP pressure over domestic-violence allegations from his ex-wife, which Miller denies, and a House Ethics Committee probe into potential abuse or drug use. Miller is now set to face Democrat Brian Poindexter in November as the GOP seeks to preserve its narrow House majority.
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Rep. Max Miller’s domestic abuse allegations should be investigated by the House Ethics Committee, noting he hasn’t spoken with Miller recently; Miller denies the charges, Republicans call for due process and a thorough review, and while Miller’s fitness for office has been questioned by some, there is no call from leaders for resignation.
Democrats are privately weighing a vote to expel Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) over domestic abuse allegations he denies; while expulsion is rare and due process concerns exist, some leaders say there could be action, though no move is expected before September as the party focuses on November races.
The Justice Department has opened a probe into Sen. Ruben Gallego over possible campaign-finance violations after records show campaign funds paying for personal luxuries, including Super Bowl tickets and Disney trips, prompted by a whistleblower complaint; the inquiry follows the Senate Ethics Committee rejecting a related complaint, and Gallego denies wrongdoing while noting the FEC allows childcare reimbursements.
The Justice Department is investigating Sen. Ruben Gallego for suspected campaign-finance violations prompted by a whistleblower complaint; the inquiry has not yet contacted Gallego and follows the Senate Ethics Committee’s prior dismissal of related allegations, amid reports he used campaign funds for childcare, family travel, and events such as the Super Bowl.
The Department of Justice has opened a probe into Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) for potential campaign-finance violations, days after the Senate Ethics Committee cleared him of misconduct allegations. The inquiry reportedly centers on using campaign funds for lavish family trips—including Disney World, Miami, Saint Barthélemy, Chicago—and for attending the 2023 Super Bowl, plus $18,000 in leadership-PAC childcare reimbursements. Gallego has defended the spending as legitimate fundraising expenses and dismissed the accusations as right-wing conspiracies.
Two House Republicans who helped oust colleagues last month are now focusing on Rep. Chuck Edwards, who is under a House Ethics Committee investigation for allegedly having an improper relationship with a subordinate and sexually harassing staffers. Edwards denies the accusations, while GOP voices such as Rep. Nancy Mace and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna call for swift accountability, highlighting the broader Capitol Hill reckoning with misconduct as Edwards faces a competitive reelection.
Gonzales and Swalwell’s resignations over sexual misconduct allegations renew the long-standing fight over how Congress should handle survivor reports, with critics arguing the ethics process is slow and underprotective for complainants while others push for accountability through public exposure or revamped procedures—sparking bipartisan talks to refine ME TOO-era reforms and strengthen reporting channels.
Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., says he won’t resign amid a House Ethics Committee probe into sexual misconduct, dating violence, and campaign finance violations; he’s cooperating with investigators and intends to seek reelection, even as Rep. Nancy Mace pushes a resolution to expel him and other lawmakers facing ethics allegations have resigned in recent days.
Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned minutes before a House Ethics Committee sanctions hearing over a long-running ethics probe, ending the committee’s jurisdiction and any immediate sanction action. Her departure removes a looming floor vote on expulsion and shifts the vacancy to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to schedule a special election. She faces a separate criminal case related to alleged improper handling of FEMA overpayments and campaign funds, which she has denied.
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned from the U.S. House effective immediately as the Ethics Committee weighs punishment for alleged violations; she faces a federal indictment over about $5 million in Covid-19 disaster funds and is the third member to resign since April 13. She denies wrongdoing and says due-process concerns drove her decision, posting her resignation on X.
The House Ethics Committee will hold a public hearing to decide whether Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick should face punishment after a federal indictment alleging she diverted about $5 million in FEMA funds to her campaign; she has pleaded not guilty to 15 counts. The committee previously said there was substantial evidence of violations and misconduct, including spending on luxury items. Potential penalties range from censure and fines to removal from committees or other measures, with expulsion requiring a two-thirds House vote; Republicans have pressed for expulsion, while Democrats plan to discuss next steps after the panel’s recommendations.