US House panel urges victims to report matters of sexual misconduct by lawmakers

WASHINGTON: (Apr 21) A committee of the US House of Representatives has urged victims of sexual misconduct by a member or staffer to report their accusations to congressional authorities, days after two lawmakers quit amid similar allegations.

The statement from the House Ethics Committee on Monday came after lawmakers Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, and Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California, resigned following allegations of inappropriate sexual relationships with or sexual assault of former staffers.

“There should be zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, harassment, or discrimination in the halls of Congress, or in any employment setting,” the committee members said.