The House Ethics Committee has launched an investigation into Representative Jimmy Gomez, a California Democrat, following allegations of sexual misconduct. The panel is specifically reviewing whether the 51-year-old congressman violated conduct rules, including potential inappropriate sexual contact with a staffer. The committee, led by Republican Chairman Michael Guest and ranking Democrat Mark DeSaulnier, emphasized that the public disclosure of this review does not constitute proof that any violation occurred.
Gomez, who has represented a Los Angeles County district since 2017, has denied any wrongdoing. In statements released following the announcement of the probe on August 17, 2026, he acknowledged making personal mistakes outside of his marriage but maintained that his actions were consensual in nature and did not breach any congressional ethics standards.
These assertions have been challenged by attorneys Lisa J. Banks and Sarah E. Nesbitt, who represent a woman involved in the investigation. The lawyers stated that their client disputes the congressman’s characterization of the encounters. They described the allegations as part of a broader, disturbing pattern of behavior on Capitol Hill, arguing that Congress must take stronger action to address members who treat the exploitation of young staff as a professional perk.
The inquiry into Gomez is part of a wave of misconduct allegations that have impacted both parties in the lead-up to the midterm elections. The climate on Capitol Hill has resulted in several high-profile departures. In April 2026, Representative Eric Swalwell resigned amid an ethics probe into sexual assault and misconduct allegations, which he denied. Around the same time, Texas Republican Tony Gonzales resigned after admitting to an extramarital affair with a staffer, and Florida Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick stepped down following a criminal indictment and ethics investigation regarding the alleged theft of $5 million in federal disaster relief funds.
Other recent ethics cases have focused on House Republicans. Florida Representative Cory Mills, who lost his primary reelection bid on August 18, 2026, has been under investigation since November 2025 regarding potential standards violations and a local police report involving an alleged assault of a romantic partner. Mills has denied these claims.
Earlier in August 2026, the Ethics Committee issued a report on North Carolina Republican Chuck Edwards, concluding that his conduct toward two female staffers was inappropriate and created an untenable environment. While the committee noted that a reasonable observer would view his behavior as sexual or romantic in nature, Edwards maintained his conduct was aboveboard before withdrawing from his reelection race.
Separately, Ohio Republican Representative Max Miller has requested that the Ethics Committee review domestic abuse allegations brought by his ex-wife, who is the daughter of Senator Bernie Moreno, in an effort to clear his name. These various controversies prompted House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to establish a bipartisan task force in May 2026 to combat sexual harassment. The group is co-chaired by Representatives Kat Cammack and Teresa Leger Fernández, who have stated that no staffer should feel unsafe in their workplace. The report also notes that they add to a mounting pile of scandals plaguing both Republicans and Democrats as the midterm elections approach. The report also notes that this is just the latest example of brazen sexual misconduct by a member of Congress,” they said. The report also notes that congress must act to rein in its members who seem to believe that preying on young women working on Capitol Hill is one of the perks of their job. The report also notes that the committee or when the events allegedly happened. The report also notes that two lawyers issued a statement disputing that assertion, several days later. The report also notes that gomez’s office did not respond to inquiries about these allegations. The report also notes that and publicly disclosing its review, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred,” the pair wrote in a joint press release, the Committee notes that the mere fact that it is investigating these allegations. The report also notes that lawmakers across party lines facing ethics probes.
