New Rules for Relationships Between House Members and Staff
The House Committee on Ethics is reviewing this proposal. It has not moved since July 21, 2026. Most bills like this do not receive a committee vote and often stall at this stage.
While ethics reforms are popular with the public, internal rule changes often stall unless they are backed by party leadership or respond to a specific public scandal.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
House staff members are legislative branch employees and this rule bars the Members they work for from starting sexual relationships with them, closing a gap in current ethics rules that mainly cover direct supervisors. This is meant to reduce the risk that staff feel pressured into a relationship because of the power difference between a lawmaker and an employee.
“A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not engage in a sexual relationship with any employee of the House”
Referred to the House Committee on Ethics.
Submitted in House
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit Members of the House from entering inappropriate relationships with House employees.
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