Capitol Hill Staffers Call for Sexual Misconduct Reporting Reforms

U.S. Capitol

A group of over 1,500 congressional staff members is calling on leaders of Congress to reform workplace reporting processes and strengthen safety measures following a series of sexual misconduct allegations against lawmakers.

Earlier this week, the Congressional Progressive Staff Association (CPSA) issued a letter to House Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI) and Ranking Member Joseph Morelle (D-NY) and Senate Committee on Rules and Administration Chairman Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Ranking Member Alex Padilla (D-CA) asking for better protections and reporting systems for staff members on Capitol Hill.

Congress has not updated its reporting process for sexual misconduct since 2018.

“Recent revelations of sexual misconduct in Congress have exposed real gaps in the reporting and accountability process for staff,” the group wrote.

In April, former Representatives Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Tony Gonzalez (R-TX) resigned after facing allegations of sexual misconduct and workplace harassment.

Since then, the group said it surveyed its members and met with groups such as the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights and the Bipartisan Partnership to Combat Workplace Sexual Misconduct in Congress to outline the necessary reforms moving forward.

The group listed several recommendations in updating the reporting process, including increasing legal support for staffers, establishing a Senate counterpart to the Office of Employee Advocacy and revising the investigation process. The group is also asking for more education for staffers on how to use the reporting resources available to them.

“These efforts will ensure Members and staff are aware of not just the rights and responsibilities they hold as congressional employees, but also the courses of action to seek help when those are not adhered to,” the group wrote.

A week before the group issued this letter, the House passed a bipartisan resolution by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) requiring the public release of records related to sexual harassment settlements made by members, signaling a broader effort from Congress to hold lawmakers accountable.

“CPSA is committed to working across ideological lines with partners in the House and Senate to protect staff,” the group wrote.

Payton Anderson

Payton Anderson is a reporter for Texas Politics based in Washington, D.C., where she's pursuing her bachelor's degree in journalism at American University. Originally from California, Payton's reporting experience spans all avenues of digital and multimedia publishing. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer and being outdoors.