Support Comprehensive Ethics Reform and Stronger Accountability for Congress

Today I take pen in hand to start now on Ethics Reforms now, and prioritize comprehensive ethics reform when the new Congress convenes in January. The recent resignations of Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales following sexual misconduct allegations exposed serious flaws in how Congress handles accountability. The current reporting system is broken. Staff describe it as too complicated, with three different systems that make it difficult to report wrongdoing. Speaker Johnson's delay in appointing members to the Office of Congressional Conduct for over four months effectively stalled investigations, and last year's rules package weakened the OCC by preventing it from hiring investigative staff. These aren't accidents. They're barriers to accountability. Congress must apply the same employment standards to itself that it requires of the private sector under the Congressional Accountability Act. I want to see hearings held to gather input from staff who actually use these systems, as well as collaboration with the Women's Caucus on solutions, and a rules package that strengthens rather than undermines the ethics process. Staff need a clear, accessible way to report misconduct, and members who violate conduct standards need real consequences, and quick expulsion if they are indeed guilty of misconduct. Thank you.