Overview
- The bipartisan House Committee on Ethics said Monday it is reviewing allegations that Rep. Jimmy Gomez may have engaged in sexual misconduct, including "inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer."
- The committee stressed that the existence of a review does not itself mean a violation occurred and said it will make no further public comments under committee rules.
- Gomez has acknowledged past extramarital conduct, denied breaking the law or House rules, said the encounters were consensual, and pledged to cooperate with the inquiry.
- The review follows April reporting that Gomez was seen kissing a younger congressional aide in 2023 and reporting that the committee learned additional allegations while examining that account.
- The probe comes during a busy year for the Ethics Committee that has produced resignations and a censure recommendation, and it could affect Gomez’s fall reelection contest and the debate over tighter rules on lawmakers’ ties to staff.