House Speaker backs expansion of staff relationship ban

House Speaker Mike Johnson voiced strong support on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, for a sweeping new ban that would prohibit members of Congress from having romantic or sexual relationships with any congressional staff, extending rules that currently cover only their own subordinates. His endorsement signals potential momentum for stricter workplace conduct standards on Capitol Hill following a series of misconduct scandals.

Johnson, speaking at a news conference, replied "yeah" when asked if he backed a proposal championed by House GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain of Michigan to establish such a ban. He later elaborated, calling it an "easy call" and stating that Congress should adhere to the same ethical standards expected in corporate America. "I can't believe it would be acceptable in any situation," Johnson said of lawmakers dating any House staffers.

Current House rules, adopted in 2018 in the wake of the MeToo movement, formally ban members from having intimate relationships with subordinates in their personal offices or on the committees they serve on, with an exception for those married to staffers. The new push aims to close what proponents describe as a significant...