U.S. Government Bans Sexual Relationships Between Politicians And Staff

WASHINGTON - The U.S. House voted unanimously Tuesday to explicitly ban sexual relationships between lawmakers and staffers as it adopted changes to the arcane process for handling sexual misconduct claims, HuffPost reports.

House members also approved the creation of an office providing legal support to staffers reporting sexual harassment, and authorized a separate bill that requires lawmakers who agree to sexual harassment settlements to pay out of their own pockets. Currently, accusers are provided no legal support, and lawmakers have access to a little-known taxpayer fund for workplace settlements.

The #MeToo movement has forced Congress, like Hollywood, the media, sports and other major industries, to examine its own practices ― including the basic failure to specifically prohibit sexual relationships between members and their staffers.

The two bills passed by voice vote, bypassing the normal legislative process because of overwhelming bipartisan support.

In recent months, lawmakers of both parties, and in both chambers of Congress, have announced retirements or resignations after reports of sexual misconduct, including Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) and Rep. Ruben Kihuen (D-Nev.). Some of the allegations have involved congressional staffers.