The battle over sexual misconduct on Capitol Hill is set to intensify as the House returns from spring recess, with new allegations against Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) and renewed efforts to expel Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) dominating the agenda.
For much of this year, the spotlight was on three lawmakers facing high-profile allegations: former Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), who resigned last month, and Rep. Cory Mills. But recent revelations from the House Ethics Committee and the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights have widened the scope, exposing a pattern of settlements using taxpayer funds and sparking demands for accountability and transparency.
Rep. Chuck Edwards now finds himself at the center of controversy. Reports from NOTUS and Axios allege that Edwards engaged in sexual misconduct with female staffers, including sending personal gifts like jewelry and a custom puzzle, along with a three-page handwritten note. The Ethics Committee is investigating. Edwards has denied the claims, telling The Assembly, "In the mountains we have to shovel horseshit. In D.C. I have to deal with horseshit. And these allegations are more horseshit."
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), who led the push to expel Swalwell and Gonzales, has Edwards in her crosshairs. "ANY member of congress engaging in an inappropriate relationship with staff needs to go," she told Politico.
Meanwhile, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) is pressing to expel Mills, who faces allegations of campaign finance violations, self-enrichment, assault, and revenge porn threats. Mills has denied all claims and faces no criminal charges, but Mace argues the evidence is overwhelming. "This is the kind of person that shouldn't be here in Congress," she said. "If we're going to say that we're against predators, we should be against Cory Mills." Mace has introduced an expulsion resolution and says she has spoken with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who prefers to let the Ethics Committee complete its work before taking action, as was done with former Reps. George Santos and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.
Mace has also subpoenaed the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, uncovering that six former House lawmakers used a taxpayer-backed fund to pay over $300,000 to settle sexual misconduct allegations. The fund was discontinued in 2018, but Mace disclosed the offices involved: former Reps. Rodney Alexander (R-La.), Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.), Eric Massa (D-N.Y.), John Conyers (D-Mich.), Blake Farenthold (R-Texas), and Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.). Three of them have since died. "Congress has spent decades hiding this from the American people, and enough is enough," Mace said in a statement. "Taxpayers didn't sign up to foot the bill for cover-ups."
The push for reform comes amid broader political tensions. As the midterm battle tightens, House Republicans are also grappling with internal divisions that could affect their majority. The fight over misconduct is likely to test party unity and the leadership of Speaker Johnson, who has resisted calls for swift expulsions. Meanwhile, Senate GOP warns House infighting could cost the party midterm control, adding pressure to resolve these scandals.
Victims' rights advocates are clamoring for an overhaul of how Congress polices itself, demanding more transparency and accountability. The coming weeks will be critical as the Ethics Committee continues its investigations and lawmakers debate whether to bypass committee recommendations for expulsion.
