House Speaker Johnson Endorses Ban on Lawmaker-Staffer Romantic Relationships

House Speaker Mike Johnson endorsed a proposal by GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain on Tuesday to bar lawmakers from romantic or sexual relationships with congressional staffers. Johnson told reporters that such relationships are inappropriate. “Yeah, I can’t believe it would be acceptable in any situation,” he said.

“I think it’s inappropriate, as it would be in any workplace, and most companies have that. ” The New York Post reported that Sen. Ruben Gallego had sexual relationships with two House staffers for Texas Democratic lawmakers.

Gallego described the report as “gossip” but did not deny the relationships took place. McClain had called for a “bright-line rule” barring such relationships after the Post report. Johnson did not say whether the House would pursue a rule change this Congress.