The House Ethics Committee is investigating a sitting Democratic lawmaker over allegations of sexual misconduct.
\nThe committee, which acts as the House of Representatives\u2019 internal watchdog, announced Monday that it is investigating Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., over allegations including \u201cinappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer.\u201d
\nGomez told Fox News Digital in a statement that he \u201cmade personal mistakes outside my marriage\u201d but added that his extramarital relations were consensual and that he did not break any laws.
\nHe\u2019s the latest House lawmaker to be accused of misconduct or harassment in relation to aides on Capitol Hill, an issue that\u2019s rocked Congress and forced a new reckoning over rules of engagement for lawmakers in Washington.
\nCAPITOL HILL SEX SCANDALS TRIGGER NEW PUSH TO REDRAW THE LINE FOR LAWMAKERS<\/p>\n
Gomez, who has been in Congress since 2017, is known as a founder and chair of the Congressional Dads Caucus. According to its website, the caucus was created to \u201censure that dads step up at home and in the halls of Congress.\u201d
\nGomez is a married father of one.<\/p>\n
He told Fox News Digital in a statement on the investigation, \u201cAlthough my actions were consensual in nature and haven\u2019t violated the law or House Ethics rules, that doesn\u2019t diminish the impact that these mistakes have made on those I care about the most. I take full responsibility and have committed myself to working through the pain privately with my wife and family. I sought professional assistance to help re-center and heal my relationships and move forward with honesty, transparency, and respect. I continue to do this work.
\n\u201cI have and continue to sincerely apologize to my family, friends, and the people that I have the privilege to serve. I am deeply sorry to my wife for the pain and embarrassment that I have brought into our lives. Her sacrifices and support are central to my ability to serve, and I can only feel gratitude for her grace and strength,\u201d Gomez said.
\nHe added that he would cooperate with the committee in its probe, but would not say anything further out of respect for his family and the investigatory process.
\nMore information was not immediately provided by the Ethics Committee, which typically operates in secrecy until it releases its final findings on a given matter. It did note that the allegations are not evidence of wrongdoing.
\nREPUBLICAN LAWMAKER WELCOMES HOUSE ETHICS PROBE INTO SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM<\/p>\n
For example, the panel released an explosive report this summer that detailed sexual harassment accusations against Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., targeting two young staffers who worked in his office. The committee recommended censuring Edwards, a form of punishment that\u2019s largely symbolic with no practical effects.
\nThe resulting blowback, however, pushed Edwards to drop his re-election bid despite denying any wrongdoing.
\nThe New York Post reported earlier this year that Gomez was seen kissing a \u201cmuch younger\u201d congressional aide in the summer of 2023.<\/p>\n
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